THE LAND OF DREAMS: AMERICA – 2

New York Travel Notes - 2

THE LAND OF DREAMS: AMERICA – 2

Although it is our first day, we immediately adapt to the city. At first, streets seem a bit complicated, but then we learn all the ways easily. “Grid system” used in the city’s planning, where roads are divided vertically, makes things easier. Who knows that movies and series have an impact on this familiarity!

The second day morning, we head for the subway station next to our hotel to see the famous Statue of Freedom. We go to Staten Island via Line 1. The last station is “South Ferry”. After arriving the last station, we buy tickets for the ferry. We go to the island via ferry.

In 1626, the Dutch bought the island located in the South part of Manhattan from native Lenape people and then in 1664, the English started to rule the city. Following the American War of Independence, the New York city has became the first capital of the newly-formed nation in 1785. The Statue of Liberty in New York Harbour and Ellis Island shape Manhattan as an island.

Finally, we arrive to the gorgeous statue just we saw in the movies. This giant statue of freedom almost greets us with the torch in one hand and the constitution in the other.

The Statue of Liberty was made from bronze by French Sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi in 1886. 46 meters high. A sonnet engraved on the ground of the Statue of Liberty is in that way:

“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free...”. These lines belong to poet Emma Lazarus.

We are also pleased by watching the view of Manhattan on Staten Island.

After resting for a while, we go back to ferry station.

Here we come across a typical American street dance. After watching the street show, we head for famous China Town and Little Italy.

After a quick tour in China Town, we go to Little Italy, which is located next to it. We decide to take a lunch break in this Italian neighborhood and we prefer to eat Italian pizza.

From here, we move on to SoHo called as the location of artists and intellectuals. This place has a bohemian style. After a little strolling, we go to Washington Square Park. New York University is also located right across the park. The park is full of people. We rest a little while watching the squirrels and pigeons in the park and then set off on our new route.

Our new route is a park called High Line, which is created on a former railroad. It seems a bit isolated since it is evening. We leave here after a romantic walk on the railroad tracks. We end the day by visiting the "Grand Central Terminal", that is, the train station, which was put into service in 1913 and visited by a lot of tourists because of its beautiful architecture.

On the morning of the 3rd day, we go to the Central Park, which is located at a 15-minute-distance to our hotel. We are taking our food with us for a picnic in the park.

The park is so big that you can travel with rickshaws and horse-drawn carriages as half and full tours. Along the park, we come across people walking, running, skating, cycling, painting, playing musical instruments. We are impressed by the oasis-like landscape of this place, far from the chaos of New York surrounded by skyscrapers.

We choose a place by the lake for a picnic. This landscape, by people going in boats on the lake, looks like paintings belonging to 18th century! We also have uninvited guests here. Sparrows, squirrels and pigeons share our meal. That the squirrel quickly eats the crackers we gave is like a frame from a cartoon!

After spending a lovely time in nature, we head towards the Modern Art Museum. We arrive to the museum passing through famous buildings such as Trump Tower and Tiffany&Co.

In this part of 5th Avenue, we see more luxurious brands.