I want to be a part of it: New York, New York
– Frank Sinatra
My endgame for the whole trip around the world was always to leverage my sense of being uprooted to make a move to another part of the country. New York City has always been tops on that list, so I was excited to time my first visit since getting back with a networking BBQ in Brooklyn hosted by two independent online travel communities, The Matador Network and Sosauce.
In a real deja-vu moment, my Dad dropped me off at the Vienna metro station last Wednesday morning, where I slung my backpack over my shoulders and headed into Washington, DC to catch the bus to NYC. This was exactly how my trip around the world started in late November 2007! But this time, I wouldn't be getting on an Air Tahiti flight.
While I was sipping a coffee outside the Starbucks at my preferred pick-up location, I saw the bus pass by on the opposite side of the street. A few minutes later, I called the office and confirmed the bus driver just missed me and was on his way to the next location. I jumped in a cab and we sped off to the new spot. This wasn't the start I was looking for. Thankfully I got one of the last seats on the bus just as all the money was being collected from passengers.
Tired from going out the night before and having to wake up early, I passed the time learning how to use my new BlackBerry Curve 8900 and nodding off. As Nomadic Matt recently mentioned, the east coast bus services now feature wi-fi internet connections, which I thought was cool, though there wasn't enough room for me to whip out my full size HP laptop.
About 4 hours later, we arrived in Manhattan. I headed into the subway and made my way to Union Square where I had plans to meet up with my good friend Kai who now worked nearby at College Humor, and along with my younger brother, lived nearby as well. Kai was in a meeting when I arrived, so I spent the next hour and a half people-watching. I quickly decided that person for person, New York City has the most diverse and fashionable population on the planet. I'm willing to offer London an honorable mention.
It was good to see Kai again. Another connection re-established in person, post-trip! He gave me my brother's keys to his apartment in the East Village, and I made the short walk over to unload my pack. Later, my brother returned home late from work while I was still up. It was good to see him again too.
Note: All the photos I post from my time in NYC were taken with my new BlackBerry, which features a 3.2-megapixel camera with flash. A weekend in the city that never sleeps was the perfect opportunity to take it for a test run.
Planning a trip? The Go Backpacking team uses and recommends:
- Skyscanner for researching flights
- Hostelworld for booking hostels
- Airbnb for renting rooms and homes
- Rail Europe for train passes
- World Nomads for travel insurance
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Hey Dave, I’m happy to report im preparing for my own trip. I’m unable to get away for a year but im scheduling a 3 month gap between when i resign and go back to finish my mba up full-time. You’re in nyc, I just moved out! Also, I just picked up the Blackberry Tour, which has global capabilities and am looking forward to using it on my trip. I’d love to get together to talk travel while you’re around. Even though i moved out of the city I’m currently commuting from home (and my gf lives in Harlem), so im basically in the city most of the time…
This weekend im away, but will be back on Monday. How bout a drink next week?
Hey Dave, I’m happy to report im preparing for my own trip. I’m unable to get away for a year but im scheduling a 3 month gap between when i resign and go back to finish my mba up full-time. You’re in nyc, I just moved out! Also, I just picked up the Blackberry Tour, which has global capabilities and am looking forward to using it on my trip. I’d love to get together to talk travel while you’re around. Even though i moved out of the city I’m currently commuting from home (and my gf lives in Harlem), so im basically in the city most of the time…
This weekend im away, but will be back on Monday. How bout a drink next week?
So glad you made it. Hooray for new travel friends!
Hey Gurran – congrats on the upcoming trip. Gaps between school and work or vice versa are great opportunities to take extended trips.
I returned from NYC yesterday – I was only up there for a long weekend, though I intend to visit regularly as I look for work up there.
I’d be curious to hear how you use your Blackberry while traveling abroad. If you’re interested in writing a guest post while you’re away, or once you return, please let me know. I could even send you a reminder 4 months from now so you don’t have to remember yourself! :)
Hey Gurran – congrats on the upcoming trip. Gaps between school and work or vice versa are great opportunities to take extended trips.
I returned from NYC yesterday – I was only up there for a long weekend, though I intend to visit regularly as I look for work up there.
I’d be curious to hear how you use your Blackberry while traveling abroad. If you’re interested in writing a guest post while you’re away, or once you return, please let me know. I could even send you a reminder 4 months from now so you don’t have to remember yourself! :)
So glad you made it. Hooray for new travel friends!
That sounds like a plan. Feel free to send me a reminder. I’m slowly moving towards getting a blog up and running for my trip. Your docs have been useful to me, so a big thanks there!
That sounds like a plan. Feel free to send me a reminder. I’m slowly moving towards getting a blog up and running for my trip. Your docs have been useful to me, so a big thanks there!