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04-30-09

Larissa visits NYC

Larissa answers a fun New York City Questionnaire detailing her experiences of the trip:

What is a Gypsy Cab? 

An all Black Lincoln Cab with dark tinted windows and black/grey leather interior that will take you where you want to go just like a yellow cab. BUT you have to negotiate with the driver BEFORE you get in the car and ask him how much he’ll charge. If you don’t like the price quote you can just say no and take another cab OR tell him what price you do want. He drives for a flat fee and you don’t need to tip.

What’s the big deal about NY grilled cheese sandwiches?

Well they’re great! Who knows why?! And so were the bagels, and Pizza (ate at Lombardi’s), and the cheesecake,  and the authentic Chinese food, and the burgers at Vinyl Cafe…the list goes on.

Are Nathan’s Famous hot dogs really “da bomb?” 

YES! I had a “Pepper & Onions Dog” at the Coney Island location and loved it. (And I never eat hotdogs.) It was definitely worth the standing in one of the many LONG lines that went all the way to the street.

What did Coney Island look like?

A fair by the beach (Just like the pictures you’ve seen with a Farris wheel & roller coaster in the skyline); a wooden boardwalk; a lot of pasty white people laying out trying to catch some sun (for what seemed like the first time in years, but probably really just since last summer); Blue Atlantic ocean water splashing against black shiny rocks formed into jetties; Dark grey sand that sparkled silver from the the broken down rock sediment; Steam coming off the sand closest to the water because the REALLY COLD ocean shocked the hot sun-heated sand with every wave that came in.

How did you get around town?

Subway, cab (after late nights on the town), and LOTS of walking—
Total probably 30 miles of walking!  My feet still hurt…

Did you see any famous people?

Yes! We were on Broadway by the Broadway show ticket booths and saw Kevin Spacey!  He had that same serious look on his face as in all of the movies. It was so cool! I have that image burned into my memory.

What’s the most touching thing you saw?

The John Lennon dedication in Central park where he wrote Strawberry fields. It was a mosaic on the side walk that said “Imagine.”  All around were beautiful spring flowers and trees in bloom.  And across the street was the building where he lived and was shot. We walked by the fancy building and it had a dressed up doorman with a captain’s hat on guarding the door for all those who currently reside in that building today.

Did you see Ground Zero?

Yes, I didn’t realize that the buildings had gone several floors underground as well, so we saw all these cranes and front-end loaders below the sidewalk level STILL cleaning up the mess. And couldn’t believe they were STILL cleaning seeing as it’s been 8 years since Sep. 11, 2001!

Funniest thing you saw?

A group of thugged-out 19 year olds talking mess on the subway. Then one of the tough boys with facial hair chills out on the bench… with his thumb in his mouth! (He was sucking his thumb like a 2 year old and he was a totally normal dude) AND NONE of his friends thought twice about it. Like it was cool and no big deal.

Most innovative thing you saw?

I saw the craziest shoes for sale in this one store near Columbia University. Each shoe was shaped like a boat!  They were “on sale” for $250 but they really had me contemplating buying them. Especially since my feet were hurting from all the walking on pavement and concrete. They’re supposed to be really good for your back and feet. You can check out what the “Anti-Shoe” looked like HERE

Neatest thing you saw?

The firehouse where they filmed Ghostbusters! Makes me want to go watch the movies again.

Are you glad to be back in Austin or do you want to stay in NY?

Yes, I’m glad to be home to a clean city with clean air and less noise, but I loved New York too. I think that’s with any traveling you do. There’s always parts you like better or less than where you live, but you always come back appreciating life and people more. I love traveling because you learn about History, Culture, People, but you also learn more about yourself. Traveling opens your mind and your perspective. I can’t wait for the next trip.

-Check out PHOTOS from the trip on Larissa’s Facebook or Myspace page.