New York, New York

Holiday breaks are the best thing to happen to college students, especially for the busy students at The Washington Center. When else can you sleep until 5pm, then go out all night, then repeat it the next day? Well, besides summer and winter break, which will no longer exist once we embark into the working world. Like several of my peers, I took advantage of the Columbus Day holiday to go to New York, also know as the big apple, the city that never sleeps, the center of fashion, the hustle and bustle…the list goes on. Since this is my first time in the East Coast, New York was definitely the first stop (besides DC, of course) on my list. For a mere $38 dollars I was able to take a not so exciting 5-hour bus ride to New York.

After a 5-hour bus ride and bumper-to-bumper traffic I was finally dropped off in Madison Square Garden to meet my friend from home. My first impression of New York…busy, busy, busy! I have never seen so many people in one place at a time. Once I got to the subway, I began to appreciate the cleanliness of DC’s Metro system. Not only was the subway covered in trash, but there was also a big problem with mice. Although I love to eat, I now appreciate the no food rules in the DC Metro. I was surprised to see people on the subway aggressively begging passengers for money and food, and selling items. My friend explained to me that New York is all about the hustle. This was quite apparent throughout my time there. I must have heard so many sad stories on the subway that I would never know when one is telling the truth.

Crowded New York Subway

One of my favorite areas in New York during the day was China Town. The New York China Town was like no other I have been to. If you want to see HUSTLE, you must go to China Town in New York. I found it quite entertaining because there was practically no way you can leave without purchasing something. I must have been sold anything possible that day for prices that were meant to be bargained. I definitely got my retail therapy while in New York. After China Town I was determined to see the Statue of Liberty. It looked so beautiful from the distance. I watched the boats go by while on the seaport. I got lucky because it was surprisingly a beautiful day.

China Town New York style

Statue of Liberty!

I cannot talk about New York without mentioning the night life in Manhattan. The Empire State Building was a bright red and green at night. Times Square was beautifully lighted as well with billboards everywhere. The streets were still busy. Taxi drivers were driving around trying to make ends meat for the night. There is so much to do: many restaurants, clubs, lounges, theatres. I could not get enough of New York and did not want to leave. I plan to take another trip whenever possible. There is so much to see and it is impossible to do it all within 3 days.

Having Thai food at a restaurant near Manhattan.

Love the tall buildings.