Thursday, October 06, 2005

29th September






New York is effortless to navigate. Just equip yourself with the subway and bus map and get ready for a wondrous date with this compact, lively, and bustling city! In addition, get an unlimited 7 day transport pass ($35). It is the cheapest and the most efficient way to move around. But I think the best way is to peregrinate. You see and experience the most in this manner.

Pearlene and I started off with the Empire State Building. You pay a hefty sum of $15 just to get to the 80th floor and enjoy a paranomic aerial view of the city. The winds were gusty and both of us had hell lot of good fun trying to get a good grip and not get blown away.

Had lunch at this Korean Restaurant. It was serving sushi and bulgogi buffet for $9.99. Pretty good deal.

I love Times Square! I have been to many cities and the closest to mirroring this area in terms of huge billboards, lights and music is Shinjuku, Tokyo. Even so, Shinjuku is still far from it when creating buzz and spectacular signage are concerned. Broadway theaters, jazz clubs, hotels, comedy clubs, restaurants, and cafes. It is the home to the theater, home to CNN, CNBC, Phantom of the opera, Late show with David Letterman. All the familiar names. It is a favorite setting of many movies, including the one in Vanilla Sky where Tom Cruise was running down the empty streets of Times Square. It is a place where people celebrate New Year. Every year as the clock nears midnight on December 31st, the eyes of the world turn once more to the dazzling lights and bustling energy of Times Square. Anticipation runs high. New Year's Eve at the symbolic center of New York City has become more than just a celebration - it is a global tradition. The world holds its breath...and cheers as the clocks strike twelve. As the famous New Year's Eve Ball descends from the flagpole atop One Times Square, 750,000 people in Times Square, millions nationwide and over a billion watching throughout the world are united in bidding a collective farewell to the departing year, and expressing our joy and hope for the year ahead.

Pearlene and I wanted to catch a musical, so we joined the long queues (you can see Pearlene queueing in the pics) to enjoy half prices for musicals shown that evening. We got tickets for the musical, hairspray. It is set in the 60s and in Baltimore. This big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, wins a spot on the local TV dance program, The Corny Collins Show and, overnight, is transformed from outsider to irrepressible teen celebrity. Pretty light-hearted and heart-warmin. Guess who I saw in the theaters. Anthony Maretino : the gay friend of Charlotte in Sex and the City.

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