Signing out from NYC

Well as they say all good things must come to an end, and we have reached the end of our time in Manhattan.



The wish-list ended up with ticks beside all the boxes bar one. We managed to see and do everything we desired to except go and see a Yankees or Mets baseball game. Now as baseball is America's national sport I am sure they will still be doing this next time we venture over, so we can accept this ommission with good grace.

So what has happened since our last post? Just the usual, which in NYC can mean anything goes; like going to see the New York Knicks play (and win) at Madison Square Garden. Now this is to NZ Basketball as Jonah was to former All Black winger Terry Wright. The showmanship, athleticism and hooplah of seeing a ball game here is on a different stratosphere to at home. It really was a fantastic night out.

We also did an inordinate amount of shopping for both of us; 5 sets of shoes, 2 tank tops, 4 pairs of trousers, 2 dresses, 2 hoodies, 2 awesome bags, 3 belts, undies, socks oh and I have my first leather jacket for 20 years.

The Jacket reminds me of one my Father had, but which was too small for me across the shoulders, it fit's like a glove. I feel a peculiar connection to my dear old Dad when I wear it, which is very nice.

I keep wandering around humming the Chills tune "I love My Leather Jacket" which is more catchy when you actually have one. I have also noticed that you see more leather jackets around you, and the other wearers are all part of the secret leather jacket club. Wearing one is like driving a Holden or riding a scooter or motorbike - you become part of a mysterious unspoken club. Hopefully we will get a leather jacket for meggy soon so she knows this feeling.

We have also been to The Metropolitan Museum of Art. This is art on the grandest scale imaginable. Every era is plotted with the broadest brush. Temples, bits of pyramids, mummies, rooms from castles and hotels through the ages have all been shifted inside a purpose made building. All of this as well as a comprehensive collection of conventional artwork of every era as well.

Our highlight was Damien Hirst's Shark in Formaldehide, entitled The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living. It is a freaky thing to behold, looking real and fake at once. The notion that the shark is long dead and is still suspended literally for all time is both repulsive and strangely compelling at once.

The artwork has been hired from a private collector by the Met for 3 million dollars for 3 years - just thinking about that did our heads in as well.

We have also been to the Comic Strip Live on 81st St, where many big US Comics cut their chops (Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, Adam Sandler...). This was a great, if pricey, night out. It is common here to impose a 2 drink minimum in Clubs, which sounds ok until you see the price of the drinks! But it was Laugh out Loud funny for 3 hours. The crowd was incredibly ecclectic to say the least. Irish/ English/ Brazilian/Italian/ Danes/ Dutch/Italian/ Sweedes and of course Kiwis. Yes there was a nationality missing, Americans! Actually this is not true, but the few Americans in the crowd of around 80 were totally outnumbered.

The comics soon found a lot of their tried and true material wasn't working too well, as a big portion of the crowd were oblivious to the references, so we were treated to a more improvisational set than you often see with regularly gigging comics. It was extremelly funny, I cried laughing several times.

We also walked across Brooklyn Bridge which was as spectacular as it sounds, and that Bridge is surely the prettiest of all the Bridges (except Jon, Daniel and Tracey). And we went to a fabulous Italian restaurant in Greenwich Village called Lupa, where we ate the tastiest duck either of us has ever eaten (sorry Winifred but it pipped your duck just at the post).

We also revisited some of our favourite spots (Cafe Brama, Dumpling Man, Amores Pizza) one last time. Today we fly to San Francisco, and then two days later back home. Being away for such a long time has made us both a little homesick from time to time, but we have found comfort in each others company and the prospect that we will see you all again soon.

Until then adios amigos.

Love
Hudsie

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Megan here...

Yep we've had a blast here.

We took the bus home yesterday instead of the Subway which afforded us one last look at the City. The streets feel like they're straight out of a movie; steam rising from the subway, yellow taxis, the long long avenues, people walking dogs, riding on bikes, skateboards etc etc

We're really thankful for all the great tips we've had from people for this place and indeed our whole trip. We've had fun getting lost and finding some of our own things too. Best tip from me is to travel with your sweetheart if you are lucky enough to have one and can go together. We've had a fabulous honeymoon.

We're now proposed daunting task of packing. Am sure it will all fit, but we have spread out a lot since we've been at our "Second Home".

Look forward to seeing you soon

Love megan