Tala goes to NYC - part 1-

Hello dear readers,

I’ve been back from the USA for a few days and I thought it’s about time that I share with you my experience in NYC.

Christmas in New York:

1-      Dyker Heights:

Since I went for Christmas Vacation it was obvious that Christmas decorations in Brooklyn were a must see. My cousin took me to Dyker Heights, a couple of blocks were Italians live and which are known to make the best Christmas decorations for their homes. They actually pay big amounts of money for companies that decorate the facades and the gardens of their houses. Here are some of the best houses I’ve seen

11^th to 13^th Avenue, 83^rd to 86^th street, Brooklyn

2-      Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, ice skating arena, and decorations:

A traditional Christmas attraction. I took pictures in front of the tree of course and saw people skating under the starry sky. The tree is literally HUGE. I wonder how they decorate it each year :P

45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10111

http://www.rockefellercenter.com/

3-      Christmas animated windows:

At Macy’s and Saks Fifth Avenue

Also a Christmas tradition.

This year’s theme at Macy’s was a visit to the different planets of the solar system to show how the people of each planet celebrate Christmas. However, at Saks they had one section dedicated to costumes from the 20’s and another about the different fairytales (Snow White, Cinderella, Red Riding Hood, etc)

Macy’s: 151 West 34th Street, New York, NY 10001

Saks Fifth Avenue: 611 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10022

Attractions of the city:

4-      Central Park:

Although it was kind of cold and windy, it seemed impossible to leave New York without going to Central Park. My cousins, my brother and I rented bikes from a bike rental place a few streets away and then went to the Park for 2 hours. We saw the Alice in Wonderland sculpture, the Big Lake, the Strawberry fields (dedicated to John Lennon), the boat house and the Bethesda Fountain (the terrace featured in many movies and where concerts are held each summer).

I wanted to try the roasted, honey-coated nuts but I didn’t have the time to do so. Next time maybe :D

I also saw two tall cedars in the middle of the park. Lebanon is everywhere indeed <3

http://www.centralparknyc.org/

5-      Flatiron Building:

Very particular architecture. Surprises you with its huge façade and shape.

175 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10010

6-      China Town and Little Italy:

Give you a glimpse of China and Italy if you’ve never been there.

In China town, it feels as if you were totally in China. Everything around you is written in Chinese and vendors try to sell you fake Louis Vuitton bags and Gucci clutches in Chinese too. Ads are also in Chinese.

Little Italy is much more charming. The people are really friendly. Some Chinese shops are opened there too. China is taking over the world indeed :P.  Cute Italian restaurants everywhere and cheap souvenir shops too. Tried a very famous restaurant there called “Amici II” and loved it. The food was sooo good and the prices very affordable. The owners are very friendly and make sure you feel satisfied and at home.

http://www.new-york-chinatown.info/

http://www.littleitalynyc.com/

7-      Grand Central:

Took the subway to the Grand Central stop, crossed the street and there I was inside one of the most breathtaking train stations I’ve ever seen. The ceiling is just a work of art with paintings and lights. The train arrival and departure board reminded me of the very first train stations and the Christmas decorations where just a cherry on the top of the cake.

89 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017

http://www.grandcentralterminal.com/

Museums:

8-      The Metropolitan Museum of Art:

When I first looked at the Museum’s Website, I saw that the RECOMMENDED ticket fee per adult was 25$. So I was complaining to my uncle’s wife about it and when I said that it’s a recommended price, she told me that since it was so, I could ask the deskman for a ticket and tell them that I want to make a donation to the museum (whatever amount I choose). If I do so, I don’t pay the ticket at all !! I only pay the donation :D and so I did.

The Museum was huge and we couldn’t tour it entirely so we just chose the wings that we wanted to see.

We visited the “Death becomes her” exposition at the Costume Institute, the Asian Art, the Art of the Arab Lands, Turkey, Iran, Central Asia, and Later South Asia and the European Paintings. It was really enriching and interesting. Loved every minute of it.

Cherry on top, I took a picture on the steps of the MET and made my Blair Waldorf dream came true :P

1000 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10028

http://www.metmuseum.org/

9-      Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum:

We bought tickets online. Best thing we did :D When we got to the Museum, and since we bought our tickets from the Museum’s official website, we didn’t stand in line (and it was a longggg line trust me:P) and we immediately took the tickets and started the tour. My favorite section was the one dedicated to New York City, the one dedicated to Hollywood starts (Jennifer Aniston, Taylor Lautner, Robert Pattinson, Anne Hathaway, etc.) Some statues looked so real !!!!!  There was even one statue of a women holding a camera to take a picture of someone. Everybody thought it was a real person and so they bent down when they passed in front of it so they don’t ruin the picture hahaha. It was sooo funny.

234 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036

https://www.madametussauds.com/newyork/