Concrete jungle

Immediately after we landed, I took a shower, got ready for about 40 minutes and went straight to a pastry shop to buy a mini cake that I could bring to Brooklyn Bridge. While I was at the cashier at Paris Baguette, I asked the lady if they had a lighter. She said they don’t but she could give me cake slicer with a match on it. I said “Oh thanks. Is this free?” She smiled and said “Yes”. I’m not sure if it’s usually free even if you buy a small pastry (and knowing it’s New York) just for the sake of getting a match (thanks to the lady cashier!) My colleague told me that she’s learning from me just by simply asking. (Pun intended)

We headed to Brooklyn and the temperature that night dropped to 6 degrees. I only brought a thin brown jacket and a sleeveless top (since when I checked the weather before my flight it was around 15-20 degrees. I told myself it’s manageable— but I was wrong.) I cannot imagine how we conquered that 6 degrees cold but we managed ~crew always manage~ and took some good photos.

We had dinner in Korean town near the hotel, and the first thing we had is a soup to keep us warm. I took a miso soup and a salmon with rice. After dinner, we went back to the hotel and rest.

The morning after, its a free day for me. I will just go wherever my feet takes me.

I walked going to Time Square and God, how I missed New York! The steam coming up from the ground— it’s actually iconic per se when you try to search it, the broadway noise, billboards and the yellow taxis! It’s still quite chilly but I don’t mind, I mean, I hope I don’t catch colds after this layover!

While walking around, I saw this Central Perk cafe in Time Square! I walked inside to check and it’s jam-packed. They are selling merch on the other side and you can grab something to eat. I haven’t finished watching Friends yet (I know my sister and Z will scream for this! Again!) but I just want to feel the vibe.

I ordered central perk bagel with cream cheese and chandlers chocolate cold foam latte. I found a seat near the window facing time square and just finished my bagel.

And for my next stop, I’m heading to Central Park!

It’s that time again for cherry blossoms! There’s a lot here… some are pink and some are white, and I’m in love by just looking at them. Thank God, I’m seeing this while I’m in New York. I walked and walked.. and observe people around. I love to people watch— I learned this from one of my friends and it become a thing to me as well to just watch and observe people.

As I sat on a bench beside the cherry blossom tree, there’s a kid hopping in front of me singing happy birthday. She passed through me with the lyrics of “Happy birthday to you” and its very timely cause its my birthday and it reminded me of a special someone saying it directly to me.

After that slow morning in Central Park, I went to Trader Joe’s to buy the small tote bag spring collection. (I had the pink one, which was given to me by a friend.) I planned to get the other three colors, but as expected, I was told that it was already sold out and they will not produce it again. It’s only a week since my friend bought it in New Jersey. I asked about the regular one, and the lady said, they would restock in August. Yes, it’s that long.

I planned to walk from Trader Joe’s to SoHo but when I saw in google maps that it would take an hour, I immediately said, “never mind I will just take a train and go back to my hotel.”

I love New York. It is truly~ if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere. This is literally the concrete jungle where dreams are made of that is why people always find their way back here and I hope you find yours too.