8th January 2012

Leaving is never going to be an enjoyable experience; normality doesn’t seem enough anymore. The journey back, although shorter, is always going to be worse. I’ve heard people say that a trip can change your life, but I’ve never really believed them.  Now it is safe to say I do.

Here's a few favourites...

8th January 2012

We found ‘Le Pain Quotidien’ yesterday; a rustic French café with a bakery alongside. It was that perfect that we spent our last meal there as well. One of the best things about New York is that it is so multicultural - every restaurant is from a different part of the world, it is part of New York’s beauty. Take advantage of it.

8th January 2012

Our suitcases have been left in the old ballroom of the Wolcott to collect later. You can imagine how incredible the hotel was in its day and could easily be again.  It’s a bright morning and we’ve walked to the Met to finish off our trip. It’s a walk tainted with sadness but I’m sure I will return one day. New York truly is an amazing place. We won’t have time to look round any of the exhibitions in the Met but it is enough just to be there. We're then going to look round Trump Tower and admire the window displays of some more Fifth Avenue stores.   

7th January 2012

For our last night in New York we have taken a trip in the dark to Central Park ice rink. This is already a special place for me, and as we look on through the railings people start to gather in the middle of the rink and the immortal words ‘will you marry me?’ are heard from the speakers.  Had we arrived two minutes later we would have missed it, and as the bride to be bambis her way off the ice I can’t help feeling that this is why we dream. Our last full day couldn’t have had a better end.

7th January 2012

The rest of the day is dedicated to souvenir shopping, which is a pain but a necessity. Words of wisdom: shop around, the ‘I <3 NYC’ mug you’ve just bought is half the price next door.

7th January 2012

The New York Library is somewhere that I have always wanted to go. It is far more than just a library, with breath-taking architecture, marble arches and wall murals. You lose sight of the fact that it is a library because of its majestic nature.
 Behind the library is Bryant Park where the ice rink is still up, surrounded by the Christmas market. For anybody visiting at this time of year it really is a magical setting and well worth taking a look around. There are food tents, jewellery stands and craft stalls; something for everyone.
For me we have visited New York at exactly the right time - all the Christmas displays are still up and the bitterness is in the air, but we aren't caught up in the pre-Christmas shopping rush.  

7th January 2012

I have little knowledge of the socialite Daphne Guinness, but the exhibition at the museum at F.I.T has really opened my eyes to unique design and style. I am especially fascinated with her shoe collection.
I can't help feeling jealous of anyone who gets to study at this university.