[nimbleguru]

So I finally got my first oversea opportunity. It was terrifying and exciting at the same time.
And what better city than mother of all cities - (as they say "nu yoke " ) The Big Apple A.K.A New York City!
When it comes to writing, I'm no Sam Kapasi ! So please pardon me if my writing does not seems systematic/continuous or interesting.
Nonetheless, let me try.

After few months of dilly-dallying and 1 Visa rejection in my flustered cap (don't ask, whole different story) it was time.

It was a 3 month company trip to NY (October, November, December 2011) and I was to stay at Jersey city NJ, right next to the Hudson river.
Would you believe it that my office is next to the new World Trade Center ?

NY is super expensive. Luckily for me I didn't have to worry about my stay as my company had provided a fully furnished apartment.
So I was to cook at home (which I did exactly for 2 days during my stay..so much for fully equipped kitchen complete with dishwasher/oven/microwave and what not)
It was quite cold (10 to -5 degrees) throughout, but whose complaining ? I like cold. cool is good.
Better half had neatly packed the winter wear /office and casual wears in the suitcases, while I cribbed about so much extra luggage.
Later on I was to realize how useful the winter cloths were (which I will never admit to her - hope she doesn't read this ).

My flight was British Airways (BIAL==>HEATHROW==>NEWARK). Fight was uneventful and nothing to talk about.
BIAL to Heathrow : BOEING 777-200
Heathrow to Newark : BOEING 767
Food was fine (I'm vegetarian) - can't complain.

Pictures do the talking :

Waiting for my flight at BIAL 6:30 AM IST





Reached London at 12:30 PM local time.
Flight to Newark was at 4:15 PM local time.
Had few hours to kill at Heathrow terminal-5 so walked around and took some snaps.

London's terminal-5 is impressive with lots of shopping/comfy chairs and huge glass sections to watch flights take-off/land.

Personally, I felt that even though BIAL was small compared to Heathrow, BIAL was ....just more pleasant.

Here's some snaps of Heathrow's terminal-5

Some kind of India promotion going on at Heathrow (A bangra dancing group) :





Spotted a mini cooper at display.
I knew mini was cool, but after looking at it, I badly want one now.





Some more random shots of T-5





Reminded me of Tom-Hanks "The Terminal"



Getting ready :
It was cloudy and gloomy at Heathrow







Empty waiting area :


Up next NYC !

[nimbleguru]

I chose NEWARK over JFK since the latter was closer to Jersey City.
Hailed the famous yellow cab. It took close to 20 minutes and $45 to reach my apartment.

My apartment sits right on the edge of Hudson river on the Jersey side.
So I had this wonderful view of Manhattan skyline at all times.

There were also these picturesque walkways called Hudson river walkways around my apartments where one can walk/run/walk-the-dog/cycle/skate/crawl...et al.

Some more snaps :

A night shot of Manhattan :



Random shots :



Roof-top parking :



Cute little lighthouse (It's functional) :
















My apartment :



Super-rich folks toys : Yacht's - in a varied types and sizes



















Chai-ki-dukaan (Tea/coffee stall) :

[nimbleguru]

This was to be my home for the next 3 months and I had absolutely no qualms about it















Food talk :
=======
Here's the thing about NY. It's a huge melting pot of different culture.
Me being a vegetarian was not a hindrance at all.

Also one can taste the authentic food here.
Here's what my version of authentic food means (No offense to anyone here - please take it with a handful of salt): The "fried rice" what we get in most Bangalore darshini's is Indianised (read heavy spice) version of the original Chinese fried rice - just my opinion which is not to my liking.
I like to try the original version of the food...you get my drift..right ?

Some of the food that I tried were
1.Thai
2.Chinese(tofu veg chicken - look it up - hilarious -awe-full taste BTW )
3.American (fries/soda/salads/sandwich)
4.Italian(NY thin crust pizza,Eggplant parmigiana)
5.Mexican (burrito,taco)
6.Not to forget Indian (yes , I had dosa/vada/idli)
7.Middle eastern (Falafel)

One special mention is for the Mexican food chain "Chipotle". The veg burrito bowl is to die for. Sumptuous and healthy.

Since it was Christmas season the area near our apartment was all dolled up with Christmas lighting and giant fake presents :















Next : Staten Island - Statue of Liberty.

[nimbleguru]

You can get to Statue of Liberty from either New York or New Jersey side.
Naturally, I chose from New Jersey as it was closer.

One needs to get to the Liberty State Park and take the ferry to Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty. $20 or was it 10 ?

Liberty state park :



















This used to be an old railway station/port.Only the port remains now :

Inside/Outside shot of the ferry :





NY/NJ water taxi :



Notice the half built skyscraper(s) ? That's the new WTC.

[nimbleguru]

Except for the ferry ride, I personally , didn't find the Statue of Liberty and Ellis island THAT exciting (if you have seen the likes of hampi/belur-halebeedu). It's just a big green statue with few ridiculously costly souvenir shops/food stalls and a small path that runs along this small island.
View of Lady Liberty from the ferry :







This reminds me of the segulls from "Finding Nemo" - mine-mine-mine

[noopster]

Thread moved out of Assembly Line to Tavelogues section. Thanks for sharing!

[athanedar]

Photos from USA never ceases to amaze me. Extremely beautiful. They brought back memories of my Newyork trip in 2000. I visited the city during December and there was lot of snow around. I stayed in New Jersey and took the train to come to TimeSquare for the year end ball drop.

I read somewhere Dutch people had named this city "New Amsterdam" and later it was changed to "New York" by British

Looks like it was mild winter last year in New York . NO SNOW in any photos !!!

[s4ch]

Lovely pics, did you do the usual NY things - Times Square and Empire State Building? Or just chill out in NJ (besides work)?

[nimbleguru]

Originally Posted by athanedar

I read somewhere Dutch people had named this city "New Amsterdam" and later it was changed to "New York" by British

Looks like it was mild winter last year in New York . NO SNOW in any photos !!!

Thanks for the information athanedar.
Surprisingly there was not much snow in December 2011.
Although, I did experience a brief blizzard which I'll follow up in few post down the line.

Originally Posted by s4ch

Lovely pics, did you do the usual NY things - Times Square and Empire State Building? Or just chill out in NJ (besides work)?

Thanks s4ch. Visit NY and miss Times Square ? No Way !
Besides, my company held it's Christmas/New Year party at Gotham Hall which is near to Times Square Macy's.
I did do a few non-touristy visits : I had a chance to visit my BIL at Stamford, Connecticut which is a beautiful town.

[vnabhi]

Lovely pics! It is nice to see so much progress on the new WTC. I was there during Xmas of 2009 and also 2010, but the structure was still at foundation stage on either visit.

1 year down the line, that progress seems huge.

In my first visit, I too stayed with a relative in Jersey City, close to Goldman Sachs building. One of your pics has almost captured the flat I'd stayed in.

Keep posting!

[mayankjha1806]

Lovely pictures of NY skyline, and the statue. When i lived in East Coast (~5 Hrs drive from NY City, at Warwick RI), we used to frequent Boston or NY over all long weekends. Pictures reminded me of those days.

Did you happen to go to Boston as well, in winter? if yes, did you had a chance to see ice statues in Boston. They are quiet unique in winter. I have some 1998-1999 pictures, could upload them here with you permission .

[alter.e.go]

Nice pics. Reminds me of my trip exactly a year ago.

Where are you staying Avalon Cove ? Shopping is good at Shoprite which is a walk away, just ahead of BJ's. If you need Indian food Shadman at Grove St.

Need anything else, feel free to PM me. This was my home (away from home) a year ago.
Makes me nostagic to see the pics, I have some similar ones - I see my Apt in the background(Marbella),

[jango]

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[2500cc]

Nice Pics man.

Isn't BLR-Heathrow a 747, I have personally seen it many times at BIAL.

[dot]

Originally Posted by nimbleguru

didn't find the Statue of Liberty and Ellis island THAT exciting (if you have seen the likes of hampi/belur-halebeedu). It's just a big green statue with few ridiculously costly souvenir shops/food stalls and a small path that runs along this small island.

HAHAHA. Very true. When you see the statue in person, it sure is a bit of a dampener. I mean, after all the Hollywood masala that we have been fed with, the real thing appears strange.

Looking forward for more lovely pictures. I liked the fall colors in some. Hope you have more.