Empire state of mind

Its New York, even if you have never been you feel as though you know it back to front, inside out. From uptown to downtown and everywhere in between..right?

Its a character in so many books, movies, tv shows and songs it would be easy to sweep it aside.The thing is you will never really know NY. Even locals find it hard to remain on top of the consistent wave of change. With every visit, with each day with every encounter, New York reveals a little of itself to you, but just when you think you understand a facet of its personality, it mixes things up and makes you think again, which is why on my second visit to New York I undercovered a little but more, but really I havent even covered a pinpoint on the skin of the Big Apple.

Highlights of my second adventure in ‘the city that never sleeps’:

– Arriving in Manhattan via the Lincoln Tunnel and knowing Im back in a city I love.
– Watching the sun setting on the Statue of Liberty
– Central Station, New York Library and New York Photography Centre
– Lunch with New Yorkers in Bryant Park- complete with my own NY Policeman guide.
– Times Square & Broadway. Always. Touristy yes, but unmissable.
– Saturday @ The Line. Indy Soho and Artsy Chelsea . Amazing. I’ll be back.
-Alexander McQueen ‘Savage Beauty’ at The MET. Upper East side has never been so haunting and disturbed. Proof fashion kills!
-Washington Park festival and Bleaker street nightlife.
-9/11 Memorial.
-5th Avenue. Central Park, toys and Tiffany’s. Saks, Bergdorfs and 30 Rock.

If you get the chance, go to New York. It is a city that evokes a strong reaction. Whether you pound the tourist trial, or indulge your inner hipster in Brooklyn, you will be surprised by what each ‘New York minute’ brings!

Washington DC

My time spent in the capital of all thing political in the US can be summed up in one word…..Memorials.

As in memorial statues, fountains, days, buildings and parades. I was lucky enough to spend the Memorial Day weekend ( which heralds in the start of summer in the US-yep, it was scorching hot as a tribute) in Washington DC.

My first day in Washington (running on 24 hours without sleep) was spent on a 8 hour walking tour of all of Washington’s memorials and famous places. It was steamy and hot and fun. Highlights included the White House, War memorials, Lincoln memorial and Jefferson Memorial.

I know the US gets a bad rap in the media however celebrating Memorial Day weekend in the nations capital was a moving and emotional experience. Politics aside. American’s are a great bunch of folks who support their troops whole-heartedly. This was evident at the memorial concert on Capital Hill where well known actors read tributes from soldiers and their families and sang songs. Touching.

This was just after Osama was killed and the tribute to the Special Ops team was amazing, and while news reports showed people celebrating his death, in reality it wasn’t really like that. What is was like is people showing their appreciation for the team of US Marines that worked so hard to defend their liberty. Yes, a few fanatics did make it awkward with distasteful display’s, but mostly memorial Day 2011 was about celebrating the sacrifices of their friends and family and nation.

The Memorial Day parade was a traditional parade and very atmospheric and despite the crowds and heat the celebrations were interesting. A trip to Arlington, Virginia was also an interesting patriotic experience as was walking by the Watergate hotel on my way to the JFK Concert hall for a musical tribute show.

Two of my other Washington highlights were:

The Library of Congress- Beautiful building. Amazing stories. Wonderful behind the scenes experiences. Books. Books. and a few billion more books.

Smithsonian Institute- Don’t let TV show Bones fool you, the world largest museum has multiple locations and each takes a day to just see the highlights. Dorothy’s ruby slippers,  Julia Child’s kitchen, Route 66 experience and millions of other exhibitions.

Washington DC was a busy and memorial-able (enjoy lame word pun) experience and I would love to go back to see even more.

For more Memorial Day 2011 photo’s head to my Facebook Album here.

Charelston, South Carolina

Great name for a 1930’s dance, great name for a town! Charleston was everything I hoped it would be. Antebellum society, porch swings and iced tea, grits and plantations!

Charleston seems to have an obsession with confederate history and are still today trying to justify their loss to the ‘yankees’ up north!

I arrived at the bus station one hot n steamy day after a long bus journey from Savannah via an anonymous town that was hotter and dodgy then hell.

Charleston was a breathe of fresh air! My introduction to Charleston  came via my first stop at the fantastic Charleston visitors centre! I love a good tourism centre! I then jumped on the free trolley that transports tourists and locals around the town and surrounds. The hostel was typical of Southern buildings and I met a great group of people.

The highlights of my time in Charleston were a visit to a  real plantation, the best Southern meal of the trip (yes even better then Savannah if that is possible), exploring Charleston during a photography walking tour and having my fill and your of authentic Southern tea while ‘porching’ as the locals say.

My time in Southern USA was very limited, but now I have a taste for it and can’t wait to get back!

Click for Charleston photo album!

The devil went down to Georgia…..and so did I!

My journey to Southern USA from Philly lasted over 24 hours and took me through many states. I experienced the ‘joys’ of long-haul Greyhound travel and saw many random US towns in the middle of the night. Despite all this arriving in Savannah heralded one of my best travel experiences yet!

Arriving to a haze of Southern heat heralded the start of my Southern US experience. Straight away I was introduced to the slower pace of life here compared to the ‘Yankees’ up north and the good old Southern charm (which must be experienced to be truly understood) and while exploring the streets and squares of Savannah I met many locals and learnt all about their lives in Georgia!

To say Savannah is one of the most atmospheric towns I have visited would be an understatement! The spanish moss (note: Not really Spanish, and not actually moss) and the history and charm hit you at once, the streets and squares capture you but its the culture and people that make you want to stay forever.

Southern hospitality (and food) deserves and requires its own post so I will limit my observations to saying that real deal Southern iced tea is completely addictive and that behind each  door (painted red to keep the devil out-as he lives in Georgia you know?) is a southern home cook with a closely guarded fried chicken and ‘fixins’ recipe that you would kill for!

Savannah was a complete surprise and the perfect introduction to Southern USA, it was even worth the bus ride from hell to meet the devil at his doorstep!

See Savannah Photo’s here!