New York State of Mind

Well lets start again with I heart New York and I always will. I love Central Park, the Hudson River, Times Square, the old brownstones in Brooklyn(Andrew and I spent a wonderful week in one a couple of years ago. It snowed heavily the day we arrived and it was more stunning then any picture)and most of all I love the people of New York. They are friendly but they don't take B*llsh1t and thats my kind of people. There is the most amazing energy in New York that just makes me come alive. I could go on for years:) There was a time in my life where I would loved to live there but now with Ewan my priorities are different so my number one city in the world is Sydney but NYC is a very close second. I was actually picturing how to convince Ewan that Central Park would be an amazing back yard but I know its a hopeless case. Andrew and Ewan both like at least nine months of the year to involve sunshine so I know its a hopeless case. So onto our trip..

It was way to short. Three nights in New York is just impossible and I was left feeling we had missed out so much.

Day one

After finding our hotel and checking in Ewan just wanted to run around. So I opened up his nappy bag which was mostly filled with toys and let him have a run around the hotel room. We stayed at the Doubletree Suites on Times Square and its an awesome place to stay if you are family or actually if you just want some space. There is a lounge with a sofa bed, a huge bathroom, a mini fridge and coffee spot and a big bedroom with the most heavenly bed I have ever slept on. Seriously it was like a giant soft cuddle. Andrew and Philip headed out to find some basic groceries and dinner. They returned an hour or so later bearing groceries and McDonalds. Yes I am a bad Mom but its not like we have one in our little town and he loves their junior burgers. So tummies filled Ewan passed out in his new Winnie the Pooh travel bed and the adults watched the worsening news about Hurricane Irene.

Day Two

First order of the day was hit B&H Photo. Its this huge store that sells all sorts of electronic stuff and its way cheaper then we pay in SA. Its a jewish run store and I knew we had been there to long when Ewan piped up with Oh Vie from his pram. Andrew is obsessed with this store so yeah we were there much longer then anticipated. Still we all got ourselves awesome cameras at maybe a third of what we pay here plus my camera is still not available here so booyah! The trip back to the hotel was made more difficult by a huge rainstorm. I have never been that drenched in my life outside of a shower. Eventually there was no more point in running. Luckily our hotel had lots of towels in the bathroom. A dry and warm Ewan went down for his nap. Philip and I went out to get Italian for lunch. Yes it cost quite a bit but the food was fantastic and the portions well American sized. The white zinfadel was lovely and having the space to eat in our hotel was very handy. Later in the afternoon I went across the street and bought tickets for the Gray Line bus tour. We did the tour last time and it really is a great way to see the city. The subway may be cheaper but its not like you see much. We all hoped on the night tour. New York at night is stunning. The guide was great and Ewan was really well behaved and enjoyed chatting to the ladies behind us. In fact he was incapable of shutting up but they loved it and were talking to him. He was distraught when they got off the bus a stop before us. We where all still kinda full from lunch so we went to Juniors and bought a cheesecake to share. It really is the most awesome cheesecake in the world. Melt in your mouth good.

Day three

Today was an early start as we had to try and find the bus that was supposed to take us to our sightseeing cruise. We couldn't find that bus anywhere. Eventually we just took a cab and discovered that the cab(like I had been saying all along) is a really easy way to get around. The cruise was a bit crowded but the views were great and its always impressive seeing the statue of Liberty. Amazing to see the difference between New Jersey and New York. Garden State? Really I drove all over that state last time we where there and all I saw was factories and other industry. Maybe they hide the gardens. We got the free bus back to the hotel and went on the Uptown bus loop and Ewan had his nap on the bus. We took a nice long walk through the park and had yummy hot dogs from a cart in the park. Ewan ate a really nasty pretzel but he seemed to like it. We then had the fun of trying to catch a cab at rush hour to get to the Top of the Rock. Most of the cabs where off duty or the driver couldn't understand us. Eventually a New Yorker caught a cab for us and explained to the driver where we wanted to go. We got to the TR and discovered the tickets had been left on our hotel bed. Andrew ran back to the hotel to fetch the tickets. We amazingly got to the door at the time on our ticket. TR kicks the Empires States ass. At the Empire State it took us over an hour to get to the top with all the security checks and endless photos. This time we arrived and in ten minutes we where looking at the amazing views. The roof of the lift is glass and has lights along the lift shaft so you can really see how fast you are moving. The views are fantastic and you can see the whole of central park.

We got back to the hotel and had plans for a great dinner out only to discover that our flight for the next day had been cancelled due to Hurricane Irene. The next flight JetBlue could give us was late on Tuesday(four days away) and going via Boston. We didn't really want to stay in New York as the whole city was coming to a stand still at 12 the next day as a precaution against Irene. We really felt lucky the first Hurricane to hit New York in 110 years and we where there. So with help from a fairly exhausted but still friendly concierge and lots of time on the internet we managed to hire a big 4x4 for the drive to Orlando.

So Hurricane Irene well thats tomorrow's story.

[caption id="attachment_76" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Our Hotel in New York"][/caption]

Flying and other travel fun

On the 23rd August we started our long journey to the States. Part excitement and part aw crap why are we doing this again and why are we doing this with a two year old in tow. Its a four hour drive to our nearest international airport and my poor Landy was seriously overpacked. Three large suitcases, one small suitcase, one backpack(hand luggage) , one nappy bag and a stroller. Fun!!! We stopped for awesome as always sushi at CTFM in Sandton. Ewan still had not had a nap despite Andrews predictions. Overtired toddler on plane. Hmmm.

Two hours later after sorting out the car we where at the airport way to early for check in. One hour of milling around the check in area and we where finally through. Ewan got some run around time and the adults got a free shot of coffee vodka at a Smirnoff stand.  That shot combined with a panado sent me out of it and the flight to London passed by in a half asleep haze. Well it did until somewhere over North Africa when a female passanger a few rows back started talking very loudly. She then started screaming about wanting to get off the plane right at that moment. She wanted to light a cigarette though she would use to do that on a modern flight I am not sure. It all got a bit strange although Ewan slept through the whole thing. The cabin crew eventually sedated her on instruction from the Captain and peace was restored. When we landed in Heathrow the next morning we where all made to sit in our seats and wait for the police to come and arrest her. She was taken off the plane in handcuffs by three armed cops. This goes to prove since 9/11 you should just shut up in a plane. Any insanity no matter how much you regret it will land you in jail. Beside that incident the flight was very peaceful. Ewan fell asleep three hours into the flight and woke up just before we landed. The only down side was the child seat provided by Virgin Atlantic which he found very uncomfortable. We eventually used pillows and our laps to make a sort of bed for him.

Heathrow was great as I got to have Starbucks Coffee and Ewan had a play in a wonderful kids area with slides and toys. We just had to sign him in and sit on the sidelines and watch as he burned up lots of energy. The only down side was waiting for ages for our stroller which had been sent to the baggage claim where we couldn't go as we where in transit. Eventually a flight attendent fetched it but it did waste a lot of time.

The flight to JFK was the smoothest flight I have ever been on. We had mild turbulence for about ten minutes as we came over land in the States. That was it. Amazing:)  Ewan loved the flight as he watched tv, played with toys and chatted to other people on the plane. He also slept for a large portion of the flight which was great.

Landed in JFK at 1:20 in the afternoon. Lots of paperwork but a really friendly welcome from immigration. I am serious everytime I have landed there the guys are so friendly who greet you. Once we had collected our baggage the real fun started. You see we had decided to save money and use the Airtrain and subway to get to our hotel. Well the Airtrain was fine it was once we where on the subway the problem started. I had been informed that we could take the E train all the way to 42nd street. I am still not sure if this is true but it doesn't matter. All I know is we spent the next two hours moving from train to train while Andrew decided where we should go next. He made us get off the train at a place that was clearly a small dodgy train station in Queens but he had decided was 42nd street. All very good for martial relations but I was to tired to argue and just wanted to get a cab. Anyway we eventually got to the station but used the wrong exit. I wasn't allowed to ask a cop for directions instead we stood outside in that heat while Google Earth was used to find the hotel.

We eventually made it to the hotel and despite everything I couldn't stop the rush of excitement of being in New York. It really is the most amazing city. I heart New York and I always will.

Tomorrow I will post about our wonderful stay in New York.

[caption id="attachment_72" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Ewan passed out in New York"][/caption]

Back Home

Ok I arrived back home on Wednesday last week. This whole time has felt a bit of blur though as after arriving late on Wednesday I spent Thursday unpacking and sorting then on Friday morning I packed again for a weekend trip to Sodwana for Andrew to go diving. It still feels like I only just got home.

The trip was amazing and I am starting tomorrow with a post about each section of the trip and lots of photos.

Now that we are back home its back to life as normal. Ewan is playing with his nanny and I am trying to work on my first full length novel. My short story that I loaded on Kindle before leaving has sold 22 copies. Which isn't a huge amount I know but I can officially call myself a writer now. People I don't know have bought my book and that just feels amazing.

So news on the home front is Ewan is sick. Again. I know that he is really a healthy child and I can't really complain but in my world this winter has just been awful. I took him to the Doctor yesterday and he is now on a round of antibiotics for a cough he started two weeks ago in the States. It was just getting worse and the poor little guy keeps waking up coughing. The real problem now is he has decided he will not take the "muti". Last night we had an hour long fight about it. Any ideas on how to get a toddler to take the syrups will be appreciated. The only one he likes and willingly takes it pink muti otherwise known as Calpol. Hopefully it all clears up soon aand I have my bouncy toddler back.

Tomorrow a long post about toddlers and planes, New York and my dear friend Hurricane Irene.

 

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This post is brought to you fom the above position in the world.Well I said I would try to get in one or two posts while I was on holiday and I have managed this one post. Yeah. When I get back on Thursday I will post a more detailed account of the holiday but for now this will be a short post. I am currently on the largest ship of the Carnival Cruise line the Carnival Dream. Its huge at 15 storeys high and 330m long. Well it seemed huge until yesterday when we moored next to the Oasis of the Seas the biggest cruise ship in the world.

Saturday we dock back in Port Canaveral then its just two days in Washington DC before we begin the epic flight home. The whole holiday has been wonderful. Its nice to have a break and lay in the sand on a tropical beach. Who am I kidding it isn't just nice moments like these are what makes life worth living.

I highly recommend taking your kids on holiday even if its just to Durbs by the sea. Ewan has changed so much in the past three weeks. Every moment has changed his world and that has made all the expense and hassle worth it. Yes it would be easier to leave Ewan with his grandparents but even at this young age the experience has changed him. Travel broadens the mind:0

I have missed the blogging world and I am looking forward to getting home and reading about what you have all been up to the past couple of weeks.

Till then take care.