The Big Apple

My first challenge in leaving Burlington was dragging my suitcases through the fresh snow that had fallen the night before.  I'm not gonna lie, was a hell of a workout.  And for two days afterwards the muscles in my arms were killing me.  I managed to get my stuff to Clare's building and then her roommate was kind enough to help us drag our suitcases through more snow to the bus stop.

My view when I woke up Saturday morning

My snow tracks

Made it to the bus stop

We made it to the airport in one piece and then dealt with bus and flight delays because of the snow.  Clare and I came across quite a few other international UVM students at the airport and a couple of us had one last lunch together.  All too soon, it was time to say goodbye to one of the closest friends I made at UVM and that was not okay.  Then, two hours after I was meant to leave, I left Burlington and headed to Boston.  

I spent my time in Boston chilling out and taking things slowly after the last busy few days in Vermont.  I went to the aquarium, saw The Nutcracker at the ballet, and explored Harvard and Cambridge.  I also did some shopping and tackled the christmas ornament shop again and bought my first christmas ornament that will only be used next year, but still.

All the ornaments... plus more

Such a beautiful campus

Rubbing his toe for luck!

It was then time to head into the Big Apple and start exploring New York!!  On my first full day I decided to explore Central Park and literally walked for hours and then went to the Central Park Zoo. I then made my way to Times Square and did some shopping around there before navigating the subway system as I had no desire to walk that far back to my hostel.  Now I've used a lot of systems, but none have been as confusing as using the NYC for the first time from Times Square.  However, after 5 days, I have seemed to master it.

I've explored: 

• the Statue of Liberty - it was pretty cool to go over to Liberty Island and walk around the Statue of Liberty, but I hated having to wait that long with so many people; I did end up getting really over the people in New York (but yes I expected it, just over it)
• Empire State Building - I picked a sunny day and had awesome views of New York!
• 9/11 Memorial and Museum - one of the favourite things I did.  Absolutely chilling, but interesting at the same time
• the top of Rockefeller Centre - another long wait but worth it when I got up there.  So high, and I decided to go up at night so the lights of the city were so pretty!
• sight seeing cruise - down the Hudson river and around the Statue of Liberty
• Madame Tussauds - the fourth one that I've been to and probs my least favourite.  Just didn't really seem to be that much there.  That or I was just super tired and sick of being alone by the time I decided to go there
• The Ride - was an interesting kind of tour slash act that drives through New York and was a fun and different way to see the city
• the hop-on-hop-off bus - a way to explore without doing all the walking
• the Natural History Museum - my favourite thing!  I spent hours there and I only looked at the animal displays
• M&M World - I caved... 
• Disney shop - so much Disney!!!

Central Park

Empire State Building

Empire State Building

Radio City Hall - saw the Rockettes there!

Christmas tree at Rockefeller Plaza

9/11 Memorial

World Trade Centre

Natural History Museum

Top of the Rock

Statue of Liberty

Don't be scared to walk alone. Don't be scared to like it.

I spent my first Christmas alone this year and it really wasn't that great.  Mostly I spent the day ignoring the fact that it was Christmas and spent time in Central Park reading my book.  I opened the present I had with me (Jess sent it to me about a month ago and made me lug it around and promise not to open it until Christmas).  I ate half a packet of Caramello Koalas.

Today I got up way too early to catch my flight to Los Angeles and welcomed the warmer weather!  My Contiki tour starts tomorrow and I'm really excited to do some more travelling around a completely different part of America.  And now it's only two weeks until my best friend arrives and we can run a muck in LA together!!

Until next post.

Adios Amigos.

Tyarna xx