Love

I still miss them…

New York Withdrawal

There’s been a huge rush of activities since I’ve arrived back here in Vancouver. I got back on Tuesday, and immediately the next day, I had to go to UBC for a group leader training for GALA, an orientation for international students.

It feels different to be back home when I had been away traveling for two months. Yesterday, I finally found time to meet up with friends that I hadn’t seen for the whole summer. I’m really happy to be among familiar faces again, but a part of me wants to go back to New York city. I miss the skyscrapers, the yellow taxi cabs, and the whole hustle and bustle of the city.

Oh Vancouver, why do you have to be so rainy and cold? I already saw someone wearing a toque today at the bus, complete with a raincoat and scarf. Really? Fall clothing already? I refused to accept that summer is almost gone, and wore a dress today.

Photo taken by Kiko.

New York City skyline as seen from the ferry.

First Signs of Canada

Tim Hortons while waiting at the Toronto Airport.

Last Night in NYC

After shopping at SoHo, we caught a broadway show at 8 pm. We watched Chicago, and I was really excited to see it especially because I loved the movie version and knew most of the songs by heart. It was a spectacular show, so vivacious and frisky. Then we hung out around Times Square past midnight, taking in all the lights and business of the streets, and ate a New York cheesecake at Junior’s. I didn’t want to leave, but eventually we had to…

What a night. Amazing show, amazing food, and best of all, with such amazing people to accompany me. I can happily say that it was quite an epic night, a very New York way to end my two month long trip!

Chicago showing at the Ambassador Theatre.

New York cheesecake (and carrot cake) at midnight.

Taking the subway home for the final time.

SoHo

Passerbys in SoHo, a famous shopping destination.

Subway entrance.

Grand Central Terminal

Inside Grand Central.

White Castle

Julie goes to White Castle!

Fire Island

It took us two hours to get to Fire Island, first by taking a train, transferring to a shuttle, and then a ferry. Close enough to be accessible for us without a car, but far enough from the city to feel like a getaway vacation. The beach stretched for miles, with quaint little houses dotting the coast.

I love chill days like these. Sitting on a blanket, perhaps with a drink in one hand, and a book in the other, and eventually drifting off the sleep.

I felt like I was transported back in time to the 30s or 40s. There were no cars in sight, everybody either walked or used bicycles. There was a small town vibe, and everyone was so polite! As we were heading back to the ferry, we were passing by a small house just as a small boy parked his bicycle and ran up to the door. An older man opened the screen door, and the boy said, “I just came by because I wanted to say good night!”. So adorable! That is something I would never see happen in big cities, whether in New York City or Vancouver.

Waiting for the train heading to Long Island.

Taking a photograph of the ocean.

Swimmers daring the powerful waves.

The sky at sunset.

Ships docking as the sun sets.

Determined to read in the dim street light.

The Empire State Building

The Empire State building gave us an amazing 360-degree view of New York. It was especially breathtaking seeing the city lit up at night, I’ve never seen anything else quite like it!

I always seem to find street performers everywhere in New York, but I was quite surprised to find one of the 86th floor of the Empire State building, playing his saxophone. Being so high up from the street level, it was eerily silent except for the low murmurs of people talking. It was so beautiful, especially with the full moon out at night, the cool breeze and the saxophone music in the air. I didn’t want to leave, but that cool breeze proved too much against our shorts and flimsy cardigans.

View from the 86th floor of the Empire State Building.

The back of Times Square.

Visitors milling about the narrow passages.

Central Park

Taking a stroll in Central Park.

Inside the tunnel heading to Bethesda fountain.

Boating at the Lake.

They even had gondolas!