Sunday 24 July 2011

Gay Pride / New York / Boston

Before I start telling you about my time, I would like to rant about the recent bombing and massacre in Norway. Not actually about the event but the article published on stuff.co.nz titled "Bill English condemns attacks". Now I am no wordsmith but I think it translate to "Bill English has strong disapproval of the attacks".......really? honestly? really? The article then starts with

"Acting Prime Minister Bill English has condemned the attacks which have killed more than 80 people in Norway and has cautioned New Zealanders in the country to be safety conscious."

"New Zealand joins other countries in condemning these attacks on innocent people. Our thoughts and condolences are with the people of Norway at this time."

I don't think you can name one country that approves killing innocent people. Maybe I'm just being a dick but I read stuff.co.nz religiously because that is the only thing that connects me to home and reading a stupid article like that which should never have been published, annoyed me. I also don't think the choice of word condemn is appropriate in this situation. Rant over.

Toronto has the biggest gay community in Canada. At the end of the 1 week celebration, the streets shuts down for a parade and parties till daylight. Over 1 million people attended the parade and aftermath. This was my first pride parade so it made sense to spend the day watching the parade and go out drinking after; it was however Sunday. I was dehydrated the next day from too much sun and the hangover didn't help either.

I chose to catch a late 8:00am flight from Toronto to New York but I forgot to take travel time and security into account; I basically had to wake up at 5:00am just to catch an 8:00am flight.
New York is marvellous. It is virtually impossible to do and see everything. There are so many hidden secrets that only locals know about. My three and a half day was jammed packed with activities so by the time I return to my hostel, it was almost impossible to party the night away.
I stayed at 1291 Bed and Breakfast on 55th West and 8th Ave; the location was perfect due to its close proximity to Central Park and Times Square. Due to the fact that New York is a media gold mine, we all already know so much about this tiny island. Locations we have heard about on the radio, attractions we have seen on advertisements, places friends have talked about.
Being there is definitely indescribable. The weather was also stinking hot; you literally sweat as soon as you stepped outside.

Day 1 - Visit up to 86th floor of the Empire State Building to see New York from above. I didn't bother to go to the 102nd floor as visibility was poor and the view would not have been much better due to the summer smog and lack of wind. Spent 5 hours in the American Museum of Natural History. This is where the first Night at the Museum was filmed. Stood in Times Square for the first time in my life to bask in the American advertising propaganda.

Day 2 - Visit to the 67th floor of the Rockefeller Centre, walked down 5th avenue, tried on a watch at the flagship 5 storey Tiffany store, got told it cost $8000USD, walked out empty handed, went into SAK's 5th Avenue, used the washroom; very nice soap, took a speed boat to see the Statue of Liberty, got wet, went out to dinner with a bunch of Aussies and Poms.

Day 3 - Spent 2 hours walking around Central Park, went to the Museum of Modern Art, was only there for 20mins, walked on the Brooklyn Bridge, visited Ground Zero, walked down wall street, touched the charging bull, drank beers with my Italian friend that visited me from Washington D.C., drank more beers with Aussies, Germans, Mexicans, Russians, rode in a limo, managed to get into an R&B club, got the looks from all the gangsters, started grinding with old white lady with bad teeth and frizzy hair, got home at 5am to find Aussie girl crying outside the room; what a day of fun and dramas.

Day 4 - Hangover, went to Century 21; purchased a pair of Lacoste shoes for $40USD, took a 4hr bus to Boston, arrived in Boston, ate a giant calzone in little Italy; only finished half, went for a beer; couldn't understand their accent, went to bed at 3am.

Boston is one of those picturesque cities with a long history. I took a walking tour of the Freedom Trail which leads to 16 significant historic sites and landmarks, tour of Fenway Park; the oldest baseball stadium in America, walked around the prestigious Harvard University then a visit to the Harvard Museum of Natural Art. This museum has a large collection of embalmed birds and mammals.

The weather was also extremely hot and sticky in Boston, the next day was spent laying around in Boston commons and a visit to the Public Garden with a ride on a swan boat; kinda lame but it was a cheap and cheerful experience.
Weather in Toronto is also heating up, a few days ago temperature soared to 38 degrees and 46 on the humidex; it was even hotter than smog covered New York! Walking around was unbearable but nothing a few beers can't fix.
New York photos here

Boston photos here

Lots of love

Sam

Gay Pride - 9.5 MB
Museum of Natural History - 10.6 MB
Ghetto Hostel - 10.4 MB
Times Square Part 1 - 10.7 MB
Brooklyn Bridge - 10.4 MB
Times Square Part 2 - 10.5 MB
Fenway Park - 6.6 MB
Swan Boat - 11.4 MB



Love Pride



Packed!




If Buzz Lightyear was gay


Lez, Gay, Bi, Lez



Street Party



First New York Slice



Famous T-Rex



Don't know where this is




Empire State Building



View from ESB



Central Park from Rockerfeller Centre



The mighty ESB




Sam was here



Jet Boat Ride



KaPOW!



Retards



Retards eating



NY from Central Park



Fucken Tourists



Brooklyn Bridge



Drinks in Ghetto hostel








Love NY









Costume Party



Fenway Park


Falcon Chilling


Boston from across the river


More random people


Boat ride in public garden