As some of you might know, I visited New York City recently. I took lots of pictures, so I thought I would share some with you guys. I will break it up day by day Majora’s Mask style, so let’s start with day one.

DAY 1
I took the train to Schiphol (Amsterdam airport) and once I checked in and got rid of my luggage I looked around the duty free shop. There in the store was a 360 version of GTA 4, which I played for 30 minutes.

After fumbling with the controls I finally figured out how to steal a car. Than I tried to stir up as much as mayhem as possible, to get the in a police chase, which is exactly what happened. It was very easy to escape the police however, so the police chases were not filled with much excitement.

I tried the melee system too, but Niko fight like a freaking robot, so stiff. And why is the fat chick I am fighting in the same box position I am? If some Serbian stranger drags you from your car and punches you in the nose, do you not freak out and start whaling at him? Apparently everyone has a boxing coach in liberty city!

Asides from these two niggles it was a good game and I only played a little, no point in reaching the verdict after half an hour play. In retrospect liberty city really does feel like New York, but I did not know that then.

After wandering around the duty free stores and getting something to drink, it was time to get to the gate. While waiting for my plane, I noticed a sign on the wall. The sign was about what objects were prohibited to take with you in the plane. To my surprise they were expecting my arrival. These things were prohibited according to the sign: throwing star, sharp objects, hand claws and explosives. Damn there goes my arsenal, but wait I can take a pen with me? Haha, a pen is a deadly weapon when inserted with enough velocity in eye socket. I am still armed and dangerous!

The plane ride to New York went comfortably, except for the fact that there is no leg room in a plane seat. Do they expect to transport midgets; I need more leg space!! Well in the plane you have to fill in two forms. One is the immigration form and the other one is a custom form. The former has questions about the place and length of your stay and the latter asks questions about the stuff you are bringing into America and the value of them. You had to fill in a ton of information and some of it was redundant info, very annoying indeed! When you get into America you have to pass the immigration boot. These guys can send you back if you blink wrong. After asking me a few questions they took my fingerprints and a picture was taken of my godly face. After that I took my luggage and I pass the customs boot. No questions were asked here.

Than I met up with my sister and we took the air train and subway to her home. Finally arrived there, what do you do first? Take a nap to rest and get rid of your jetlag? Fuck no! Resting is for pussies. Me sister had to do groceries and I went with her, to see a bit of New York. Before we went, I took some pictures of the house (I used my sister’s camera, so this explains why I did not take pictures of the earlier parts of my trip).


That what I called home for 7 days. Sorry for the blurry picture.


The main room


My bedroom. Well it not really a bed, it is just a mattress


The Garden

She explained the grid system of New York with the avenues and street numbers. Saw how a super market looks like in New York. It was a bit more primitive than the supermarkets in Holland, plus I got my first taste of New York hospitality, i.e. none at all. The people there seem so agitated all the time. Like they drink way too much coffee, which would explains the success of Starbucks.

After carrying the grocery’s home it was time to eat. We went walking trough Central Park, so I could snap some pictures.


Central Park West entrance


Further in


Look at the tree tops


A playground (closed)


Picture of a lake, as you can see it is getting dark


Yep it is really dark now

One thing I noticed when walking through Central Park was that many people were jogging. I guess people for New Yorkers health is an important issue.

The restaurant was an Italian one; it had a very nice atmosphere. I felt like you were eating in someone’s home. The food was very good by the way.

Than we went back home to sleep, I was up for more than 24 hours. The next day will be more eventful. First I will take an uptown tour and visit some sights and, after my sister is finished working, we are going to see a New York Yankees match.

Next time: Day 2. Uptown loop tour and New York Yankees match!!