New York, New York
What an extremely lucky boy I am to go back to the beautiful Big Apple. And again to be there in December to witness the magic of Xmas here. Have to say I sure do love ya New York, New York. You sure do stand out from the crowd for top cities in the world, what a vibe, such a great feeling when you’re here.
How did I get here for New York, New York? I was alone and here for work. And what a PACKED week it was, with about 20 or so client meetings, about 5 internal workshops, a Xmas dinner for Telstra Americas, a client working dinner, a trip to Hartsdale to see my Sis, Bro-in-law and niece, a chance to meet my great mate Bo Battista, and of course to make many many new friends in Telstra office and hopefully some of those clients.
Now I wanted to show you the brief trip in photo. I didn’t take too many sadly as was so very busy, and also apologies but I only had the crappy iPhone, but you’ll get the point. Here comes New York, New York, 2016.
This is on the way from the airport, going down to Brooklyn Bridge to cross over to downtown. Quick wind the window down and grab a snap of midtown. If you zoom in you’ll see Chrysler Building, Empire State etc…
So funny I took this when I arrived on Sunday afternoon when doing a walk about. I just had to with all the fun we have been watching remotely of late. I then ask my colleague Tracy on Monday am; “So where actually is our offices?” Tracy says; “Not far from your hotel, it’s on 40 Wall Street, The Trump Building…” So I say; “WTF, you mean this one and send this photo…?” Too funny, plus in the photo I love the girl in the grey tracksuit bottoms running away from it…
The first night on another walk about from the office on the way to Broadway to hail a cab to a client working dinner. Now that is not a bad view is it. NY Stock Exchange or NYSE. Before this was built all the trading was done on the street in front. Makes you wonder if it was more honest then… Still a beautiful building.
Next day and a trip to spend half a day with Goldman Sachs off Manhattan over on Jersey. Finished the meeting and had to pause and look back. A pretty moody day with loads of clouds, but then BOOM the sun came out and delivered this shot for me. Absolutely stunning snap of downtown Manhattan…
Walking back when on Manhattan that night, a look left and again another PAUSE moment. This is the Freedom Building, or as is actually know One World Trade Centre – the building erected to honour those lost in Sept’11. It is incredible, it truly is. But it gets B&W, because despite the glitz of its iridescent windows glinting in the sun, it has a tragic history!
Then on to our next meeting place for client drinks. Now I have to say I have my favourites in New York. Now I have a new one, as this place is incredible. This is the newly opened The Beekman Hotel, on 123 Nassau Street. You HAVE to go. I have gone a tad artsy on these photos to give you a snippet, and potentially a hook to go so more. Here are the very reasonably priced rooms…
A very cool, and artsy view, looking up the atrium with all the floors going up an up. This place was apparently derelict for many years and The Thomson Group decided to pull their finger out at re-furb it to one of the very best locations in Manhattan and beyond that I have seen!!!
Even the elevator made me stop to snap – Art Deco refurb at its finest. Great job The Beekman, WOW!!!
A chance to meet my mate Bo Battista one evening after we’d had yet another client meal (yes going home carrying a few extra lbs from this trip believe me). Have not see Bo for about 6 or so years, the boy does not change – love the big man, just missing Welchy!
Lunch with BNY Mellon on the last day here. I go with the client recommendation, one the coldest day yet, of Chicken Pot Pie and Bloody Mary. A dish the size of a small child shows up, but man it was good and the Bloody Marys sure helped keep a little of the chill out too.
On my was home now – the stunning Grand Central Station. Heritage City Buildings on steroids. Just beautiful. Even if for a fleeting minute to exit Manhattan and make my way to my Sis’s house in Hartsdale, about 40 minutes train ride North.
Did I mention it was cold in NYC? So arrangements are made for me to meet my sis, Haruko, at the platform car park for Hartsdale. What we didn’t know was that if I get on the back of the train, get off at Hartsdale, go down some steps to the car park there, that that is not a car park of three at that station that my sis knows. So yep I ended up standing for 30 minutes in breath-taking cold, even my hood went up. Scott of The Antarctic, how did you do what you did?
I think this is almost Home Alone. My room at my sis’s house in Hartsdale, how nice is that. Even my own Xmas tree. Warm and cosy. First time in 5 nights I felt comfortable and first time I slept well, because with family it felt like home…
20 minutes in the house saying hi to Annika, a quick freshen and I am off again. Now to my bro-in-law’s Xmas work party with his staff. Portuguese, and VERY family, restaurant in a suburb called Yonkers. What a fun night, my last in NYC State, what a lovely send-off.
But sorry America I have to say this so disturbs me. Only the night before I was watching the news of the lone gunman walking in to a church in Charleston, massacring 9 innocent people and injuring more, and then I see this in a ”sports shop” when looking for some swim shorts. Shot guns, semi-autos, sniper rifles. And all for circa $400 USD a piece only, need I say more – you are making this available to happen…
The if that is not bad enough behind the counter, here is where I can buy my ammunition. Off-the-shelf. In fact on shelves that Jude, my 3 year old, can easily reach. It disgusts me. And sorry ”sport”. Much of this ammunition was open faced and branded – self-defence stopping power. Sorry I missed the sport analogy there. Dear me USA…
Can you read the small black sign on the shelf? ALL AMMO AND FIREARM SALES ARE FINAL. Well I tell you for the nine innocent people in Charleston it certainly was, WAKE UP!!!
I had to have last supper, well last lunch, American stylee. Out with Brussel Slaw, onion rings, a huge burger (patty, coarse cheddar, beer onions, beef brisket, and loads more) washed down with a funky pale ale. And as we sit there chatting, it starts to snow…
Taking our lives in our hands the sis and I decide to let me niece, Annika, drive us home after lunch. Great job Annika. Home safe and sound and perfect timing for Mum to then whizz to the airport – so lovely to see you.
And the final one for the trip – the drive home from Hartsdale, and we pass by Manhattan skyline one more time, at about 1730 and boom nature throws me this sunset. Stellar!!!
