I arrived in New York with a broad smile on my face, excited about the possibilities. But I had a little cry tonight. What if I hate New York City? This post may be a little less positive than what you have come to expect. I can’t apologise.
We arrived here at 8.00 am to be greeted by hot amd humid weather. Around 30-35 degrees celcius. Everyone has told me about the heat here at this time of the year. But I am here for BlogHer, and could not make my trip another time of the year. I worried that I had made a mistake coming here today. I still have 17 days to go. We walked and walked and walked to find a place for dinner. Even at 7.00 pm the heat was unrelenting. I felt sore and faint and just wanted to sit somewhere cool. When we found the first place that looked good to eat at, I downed two glasses of water and splashed cold water on my head, hands, chest and feet for relief.
I wish my body could regulate its temperature. I wish I didn’t feel sore all of a sudden. I wish I could see all the things I have been planning to for the past year. People stare at and comment on how sunburnt I look here – more than in Los Angeles and far more than London, even though there is the notion that people can be as individual as they want in this city. I have had several homeless people/beggars comment negatively on my appearance. Hell, I’ve saved $8000 for my trip, worked hard and dress fabulous, and they are on the streets begging for change in need of a shower, and they have the nerve to comment on my appearance?! And my accent is proving more of a difficulty than a charm or novelty like it was in London. It is hard. I feel small. This isn’t like being Carrie Bradshaw or Felicity Porter (though I got excited seeing Dean and Deluca’s on Broadway tonight!). This is the realisation that I am not climatically resilient, and having a chronic illness is tough when you are away from home.
The flight from LA to New York was overnight. I did get some sleep in, but I was sore in the plane – a combination of a long day yesterday without a shower, the flimsy polyester blanket provided by the local airline, and the cramped leg space, meaning restriction of movement for five hours. And I have a chest infection. My letter from my dermatologist requests extra leg room, for medical purposes. I have been very lucky to have this request granted – and even a mini upgrade within economy class – on my international flights. But last night I was given an aisle seat with no extra leg room. It is really disappointing when I have a valid medical request and I see people at the airport demanding a certain seat or others requesting and/or receiving an upgrade in return for good PR. Anyway the skin on the rest of my body fared well and I did not look or feel worse for wear on arrival.
Anyway, I feel a little better after my cry, and I am glad I have got my Mum here who understands and will not tire of my indoor requests. We went to a trendy bar called Brinkleys for dinner. It is on the corner of Centre and Broome Streets. Brinkleys was packed with pretty young things having drinks and dinner. Mum had calamari and I had a lobster sandwich – filled with lobster, mayonaise, lettuce and bacon, on brioche. So good.
We also met two lovely girls who were concerned about me in the heat, we got chatting about work and food and shops, and they said they will keep in touch. The day ended on a high note and I thanked them and the rain for cheering me up.
When we arrived a driver picked us up. There was a sign on the car window the whole trip. Doesnt matter that it said Mrs. It announced to New York that Carly Findlay has arrived.
And this was the first view of the skyline.
I looked at the forecast and the temperature and humidity is set to decrease a little. That will be good for me. I want to love New York as much as I loved London. I don’t want to suffer in this heat. A sleep in and indoorsy things tomorrow. Museums, galleries and shops. Wish me luck. I hope to heart New York.
Carly I will send wishes to the universe to make the rest of your trip comfortable and wonderful for you.Have an amazing time love.xx
Oh Carly, I hope tomorrow is a better day. You have 17 days, so I suggest you slow down. Allow yourself some flop time. When S hurt his knee in Vienna, we spent several half days cocooned in our room. In some ways it felt like we could have seen more of Vienna and Prague, but in others it meant we really enjoyed what we did.
On the accent, just impersonate and american. They won't think you are making fun, they are more likely to understand you!
One final tip, if you can find an outdoors type store, I have this thing I got from Katmandu here which goes around your neck. It looks a bit like one of those neck scarves scouts wear and has crystals in it that swell up with water. So you soak it, then leave it in your bar fridge, then it acts like a cool collar.
Hopefully you'll cope much better after a bit more sleep, and a drop in temperature. It's hard work being on holidays… but you can do it. I'm glad Jeanette is there with you now. I'm really loving reading all about your exciting trip. Chin up, tomorrow is another day!
for someone who endlessly preaches tolerance and understanding, you certainly are quick to judge the homeless. "in need of a shower and begging for change". homelessness is often a consequence of mental illness- which is no more a choice than your unfortunate physical appearance.
So what- these homeless people make a comment about my appearance and I can't react? Hardly seems fair.
But thanks for your input Anon.
And the phrase "your unfortunate appearance" is saying something about your judgment too.
It's funny how commenters come out of the woodwork after one small thing is written on a blog.
Oh Carly, take it easy & rest up. I'm so glad your mum is with you & will ensure you get some TLC. It sucks being sick on holiday. Have LOVED reading about all of your travels. xx
Hey Carly, I hope you do love it! I absolutely loved our time there but NYC is full of very very thin and glamorous people – more so than anywhere else I have been – I just ignored it and got on with having a great time & I hope you are able to do that too. My big tip – taxi changeover time is 4pm but anytime between 3-7pm is really hard to get one & it might help to know that in terms of planning your day and not getting stuck having to walk endlessly. Can't wait to hear about your travels & the conf! x
Truly gobsmacked by Anonymous' comment for a number of reasons. The rudeness of the comment, the gutlessness in choosing to do so anonymously & the hateful judgment expressed about your appearance. Please Anonymous, stick to trolling sites like mamamia.
Carly I love New York and have visited a number of times. I really hope that it improves for you & you enjoy the experience. Love reading about your trip. Take care and ignore the trolls xx
I'm so surprised that people are having trouble with your accent, nobody commented on mine in NYC!
I didn't love NYC. It just reminded me of another big city, plus it was snowing and freezing brrr.
I don't think it was right for homeless people to comment on you, but they comment on everything! One told me to go to the gym to work off my fat ass haha. As the anon poster said, a lot of homeless people suffer from mental illnesses and have not chosen to be homeless, no need to be judgemental towards them – just like they should not be judgemental towards others. We are all humans.
oh Carly – I hope the weather is a lot kinder to you in the coming days. And altho it's the city that never sleeps, you need to! Get some rest and try not to get too caught up in the hype of that relentless movement and energy.
One of my fave new york things to do is sit and people watch. Find a great (air conditioned) cafe/bar and sit and take it all in in comfort.
And don't let comments from nasty Anon types get you down.
Geez some people! Get a life Anon!! You rock Carly. xx
oh sweety, I hope things improve for you and you get to do all of the things you have been dreaming of xoxo love you x
And to Anon…she wasn't judging, she was stating a fact.
I hope tomorrow is a better day!
I too was a bit down when I first got to NYC. The weather/heat, and everything just seemed to bear down on me. Eventually I grew to love it, but I remember the feeling!
Cheers to it getting better 😉 x
Dear Carly,
I adore New York but too felt a bit "at sea" when I first arrived.
I do hope you will learn to to love this big bold city. A visit to Cental park using one of the rickshaw drivers to take you around is lovely and Guggenheim is a cool stunning respite to wander around. Take care and ignore the ' anon' commentators. It's speaks volumes that the poster was unable to own her or his comment by name.
Kate Bx
hope you feel better and have fun xxx
Oh no! I hope the weather cools. Bit for you to make your trip more enjoyable! Try to make the most of it lovely! Stuff the negative Nancy's you're right – you've worked hard for this trip! Xx
Hi Carly, reading this made me worry, but tomorrow is a new day, and you've got yourself and your mum to New York!! I hope the weather cools down and you get plenty of rest and your chest infection improves. Am thinking of you, take good care and enjoy your trip xx
I hope things get better slowly but surely! Take it easy, all in your stride. Looking forward to more NY posts. 😉
hope you feel better and have fun
New York is a great city,it takes a while to acclimatize.Just remember to give as good as you get.And as the singer Jill Scott says 'Everything ain't for everybody'…If you don't completely fall in Love with New York that's fine,maybe you're more of a London Person.I'm a little bias,being a native Londoner and all but sometimes that's just the way it is.My favourite cities are Stockholm and Rio de Janeiro.Just embrace the experience (health permitting) and buy one of those mini fans and plenty of ice water.Good Luck.
Hi Carly,
I love your blog and it has been absolutely wonderful to vicariously be a part of your adventures.
I would, however, like to address your comments about the homeless people you encountered. As someone who works with those who are homeless, I see the preconceptions and prejudice that they face every day. It's heart breaking.
For all the adversity you have had to overcome, at the end of the day you have parents, friends and family who love and support you. Some of the people you encountered would not.
Is it inappropriate for them to make nasty comments about your appearance? Absolutely. Is it equally inappropriate for you to criticise them for their inability to shower? I think so.
As someone else said, many homeless people have issues with mental health and have had to cope with the most messed up of situations. Rather than be critical of them begging for money or living on the streets, it should instead be about tolerance and understanding.
This comment is not meant to make you feel bad. I know from the rest of your posts that you're a lovely person and a great advocate. I just hope that when you're feeling better, you know that homeless people are often in need of the very things you're fighting for – tolerance, respect and understanding.
Joanna
New York is a great city and in New York city Limo In NYC provide good service for journey.it provide the facility for rent.
Limo In NYC Provide good facility for rent.we take the cars at rent.
Thank you for your comment Joanna. A reaction against a rude comment should be directed at the comment, not the circumstances of the person who made it. Play the ball not the player.
I'm impressed by you because you wrote what you felt about the City but you should also keep in mind its positive things like world's best car rental services like our Airport Limo NYC
I wish weather is changed tomorrow. LGA Airport Limousine offer excellent facilities.
Amazing blog pics such a wonderful
Jfk Airport Limo