You know you are in New York when:
"What's your plans now?" My cousin asked me, as I freshened up after the 10 hour trip.
"I think I will head over to the subway station and grab a man." I said. "I want to see where the attractions are and how to get there."
"Um," My cousin bites her lip. "It's 9 pm."
"So?" I don't comprehend.
"I wouldn't recommend going to the subway after 9."
"Oh-"
You know you have reached New York when:
You see the first coloured face in 8 hours.
Indicator lights to change lanes are not obligatory, it appears.
Every other car is banged up.
I encounter my first Hispanic person in 8 years.
So far the people appear to speak English, but I am still in Jackson Heights. Already someone has tried to sell me an used phone card.
Yes, it's exactly as I remember.
Tags: New York
The personal, official blog of author Mezbauddin Mahtab
Wow You Reached NY :)
ReplyDeleteHope it will be your memorable NY trip forever :)
best Of Luck and Have a Nice Trip :)
wishes,
Samiha Esha :)
Oh come ON! I have ridden the subway at 2am and lo and behold, my nose wasn't snatched off or anything!
ReplyDeleteAnd about hispanic people, dude, which part of toronto do you LIVE at?! lolz! "colored face"?
hope the NY trip goes well.
Salamaat,
ReplyDeleteyeah i've ridden the subway at odd hours too...
first coloured face in 8 hours? i don't get that?
wow..i just adore NY...enjoy your trip and tell us all about it.
samiha: thanx!
ReplyDeletenowal: i have a very overprotective cousin. the good thing is her husband then DROVE us to Times Square, PARKED while we roamed about at night.
i have NEVER seen a single mexican in 8 years in Canada, especially one that referred to me as senor.
Maliha: you girls are putting me to shame. now i hav to ride the subway at 9!
NY subways are all good. but it does get a bit shady in the Bronx area, like if you take the 4 train all the way, you will see drama. Queens, Manhattan, 2am, 3am, 4am, bring it on!!! However, overall, NY has improved its security by a lot. It was a lot more scary back in the days of 1993. Now, over the last 10 years, things have gotten much better, definitely.
ReplyDeleteYou have to expeience the food from the Chicken Guy on the 6th ave and 53rd (I think that's right, correct me anyone who knows better). And this guy's business starts late and goes on for the whole night, and even at 2am, there is this "line" for his food.
It's only 5 buck, but will satiate two people, definitely.
I was gonna say something else, but I can't remember./ aargh
only women 'freshen up'
ReplyDeleteSalaam.
ReplyDeleteWelcome, welcome!! There's a lot to see, so make sure you explore it all. After 10pm, I'd advise you to stay clear of the subways except in lower/midtown Manhattan. Nowal may still have her nose, but why risk yours =P ?
I'd invite you for a visit, but I'm pretty tied up this month...
And the tiger avatar?? Umm???
MFH: I tried this new restaurant today... Japanese .. Yakiniku..a local friend introduced me to it.. you should try it out.
ReplyDeleteAnon: I m pretty sure men do it too.
Em: I was forced to be out on the subway today till 11, as some idiot decided to jump onto the tracks and delay the subways everywhere. Quite an experience!
MFH: halal street food 53rd and 6th avenue is the right location but only from 8pm onwards (they timeshare the spot and only the late night guys are actually good).. they even have matching uniform t-shirts. Take your sister (or female muslim) you will get an even bigger deal on the cheap meal (I would also get a $1-$2 discount and free drinks).
ReplyDeleteAfghan this is my FAVOURITE NYC restaurant.. halal and cheap! (and right near chikalicious - see below). Absolutely make sure you get the mantu - to die for. I have yet to find a place in toronto or ottawa that serves these mouth watering dumplings.. http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/khyber_pass/
turkish Try turkish kitchen - one of many halal turkish restaurants in NYC (http://www.turkishkitchenny.com/)
south indian lots and lots of south indian places and dosa huts.. but the very best (and most authentic so I've been told is). I forget the exact location but its right around the corner from turkish kitchen, Lex and 26th or 27th. Again if you bring a muslim female, the amount of free dishes you get is phenomenal.. food is cheap here. : http://www.saravanabhavan.com/
funky desert bar Only in NYC. 3 courses amazing sushi size desert.. not to be missed.. I had once frequented this place 3 times in one week bringing out all my friends whenever they visited. The owners are amazing and very friendly... Chika prepares delicate deserts in front of you.. http://www.chikalicious.com/
As for sights: make sure you check out Century 21 - right across from ground zero - its an institution on designer deals and NYC's best kept secret.. http://www.c21stores.com/nyc.asp
I loved 'MoMa .. found the Met to be overwhelming. Moma is on 7th avenue and 53rd.. so go visit the museum and then eat the halal streetfood :)
John's pizza is also an institution in the Village as is Magnolia Bakery (for luscious cupcakes that have people lining up around the block even at 2 am. Get the vanilla-vanilla - my favourite).
If you want a specific cuisine, or activity let me know.. I know manhattan like the back of my hand. Enjoy :)
MFH: halal street food 53rd and 6th avenue is the right location but only from 8pm onwards (they timeshare the spot and only the late night guys are actually good).. they even have matching uniform t-shirts. Take your sister (or female muslim) you will get an even bigger deal on the cheap meal (I would also get a $1-$2 discount and free drinks).
ReplyDeleteAfghan this is my FAVOURITE NYC restaurant.. halal and cheap! (and right near chikalicious - see below). Absolutely make sure you get the mantu - to die for. I have yet to find a place in toronto or ottawa that serves these mouth watering dumplings.. http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/khyber_pass/
turkish Try turkish kitchen - one of many halal turkish restaurants in NYC (http://www.turkishkitchenny.com/)
south indian lots and lots of south indian places and dosa huts.. but the very best (and most authentic so I've been told is). I forget the exact location but its right around the corner from turkish kitchen, Lex and 26th or 27th. Again if you bring a muslim female, the amount of free dishes you get is phenomenal.. food is cheap here. : http://www.saravanabhavan.com/
funky desert bar Only in NYC. 3 courses amazing sushi size desert.. not to be missed.. I had once frequented this place 3 times in one week bringing out all my friends whenever they visited. The owners are amazing and very friendly... Chika prepares delicate deserts in front of you.. http://www.chikalicious.com/
As for sights: make sure you check out Century 21 - right across from ground zero - its an institution on designer deals and NYC's best kept secret.. http://www.c21stores.com/nyc.asp
I loved 'MoMa .. found the Met to be overwhelming. Moma is on 7th avenue and 53rd.. so go visit the museum and then eat the halal streetfood :)
John's pizza is also an institution in the Village as is Magnolia Bakery (for luscious cupcakes that have people lining up around the block even at 2 am. Get the vanilla-vanilla - my favourite).
If you want a specific cuisine, or activity let me know.. I know manhattan like the back of my hand. Enjoy :)
Oh yeah.. the subway in manhattan is safe.. I've travelled past midnight. not sure about travelling out to queens etc.
AND make sure you check out the masjid on the upper east side. It is gorgeous!! Definitely beats the architecture and beauty of the mosques in the middle East.
Amitaf: thanx! I think I will check out century 21, i m going to that area tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteyou mean toronto isn't cosmopolitan? how bizarre..
ReplyDelete