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‘OMG you are going to love New York’. If I had a dollar for every time someone said that to me I would have paid for my trip. But I have a confession – I disliked New York. Intensely. The constant noise, crowded streets, smell and rampant consumerism, rather than leaving me energised, just drained me. For all that, I did find pockets of quiet beauty amid the soaring buildings, concrete and hurrying people. For what it’s worth, here are my tips for those of you of a more introverted bent to surviving a trip to the Big Apple.
1. Walk as much as possible: This is true of just about any travelling – you see more on foot. But in NY it’s the best way to find the unusual – such as the rhinoceros sculpture at Astor Place (one of many such artworks dotted around Manhattan), which was made to highlight the plight of the northern white rhino of which only two are left in the world – both female. Or St Paul’s Chapel, which opened in 1766 and where George Washington had a pew. It’s small cemetery is a poignant reminder of New York’s past. And down in the financial district you can find the pub where Washington formed the Sons of Liberty leading to the War of Independence.
One of many street artworks in New York.
Photo: Spiros Tzioumis
2. Have patience: Another confession, this is not one of my strengths, but the security measures at just about every New York tourist attraction would test even the mostly saintly of us. And by security checks I don’t mean a cursory look into a bag – I mean bag screening and metal detectors. For example, one must go through airport-like security to get onto the boat to Liberty and Ellis islands. It took an hour and that’s because the metal detector was so sensitive it picked up the wire in my bra – which I found out from a very patient security guard who has to deal all day with agitated women wondering what they hell they were doing wrong. Just take deep breaths and allow enough time.
3. Get out of Manhattan: If you have time it’s worth trekking to one or more of the other boroughs. I was lucky to spend time in Brooklyn, which has the gorgeous Prospect Park and Botanical Gardens. An added bonus was being there during the cherry blosson festival when the gardens were a riot of colour and the petals dropped like spring snow. I also found the amazing Green-Wood Cemetery – founded in 1838 and set in stunning gardens with lakes and gravestones that were works of
art in themselves. Moreover, the food is cheaper in Brooklyn and it boasts many funky cafes such as the laundromat turned bar/cafe on Beekman Place.
A sculpture at Green Wood cemetery Brooklyn.
Photo: Spiros Tzioumis
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