Well, I really don't know where to start. I absolutely love this city

Didn't sleep much on the plane so pretty tired when I arrived at 16:30 NY time, 21:30 UK time. Flight was not very good - loads of turbulence, felt a bit sick by the end of it all! Temperature is about 8C so pretty much the same as back home although the wind is wicked. Booked a shuttle bus to take me to the Hotel which is cheaper than a taxi but still drops you off right at the door. It was a nightmare! The driver was soo grumpy and kept shouting at everyone and barking all these rules plus he drove like a maniac! Took about 3 hours to get from JFK to my Hotel as there were 10 people to drop off all over Manhatten. Still got there in the end, stayed at Second Home on Second Avenue, www.secondhome.citysearch.com, it's just on the edge of the East Village and although it's quite far away from the major attractions, it's in a nice area. I stayed in a Tribal single which is fairly small but has everything I need, really comfy bed, TV and cable (though I never turned this on), even a phone which I could use to phone NY numbers for free. My mobile is letting me send text messages but not make phone calls so can't phone home. Dumped my bags and went straight out to meet Claudia who lives in NY. She took me to a bar called the Peculiar Pub which has over 300 different types of beer. I drank Brooklyn lager and something called Hair of the Dog! Didn't stay out too long cos by this time I'd been awake for 24 hours! On my way back to the Hotel I saw a big NY rat running along the pavement! Thought that was only in the movies!

My first full day in NY. I decided to do the Circle Line Cruise as you can sail right round the whole island of Manhatten. I intended to walk for a bit and grab some breakfast and then take a taxi the rest of the way but there really is so much to see wlaking about that I ended up walking all the way which is pretty far - from 2nd Ave East 14th to West 42nd by the Hudson River. It really is just like the moives - traffic cops swearing at motorists, everyone walking about drinking coffee. No-one pays any attention to the Don't Walk signs as I soon found out - pedestrians or motorists. I soon learned to jaywalk with the best of them! On my way to the Piere, I saw some Chinese protesters outside the embassy. Apparently they stand there every day no matter what! They're protesting about the treatment of people back home and 2 of the protestors were in cages with make up on to make them look all beaten up while another was dressed as a policeman with a baton, crazy! The Circle Line Cruise was definitely worth the money - bit long at 3 hours and there's not really much to see near the end but the guide was very informative, he knew every building along the river and loads of history about NY and Manhatten. Sailed right past the Statue of Liberty which was pretty impressive - tried to go outside and take photos but it was very windy and not sure they'll come out right. Went under about 15 different bridges including the Manhatten and Brooklyn bridge and sailed past Brooklyn, Harlem and the Bronx. Bought the most expensive coffee ever - $6 but I did get free refills and a plastic tacky cup to keep! Walked back to the Hotel again afterwards, not through choice but it was 4pm and can't get a taxi at that time of day! Bit overwhelming walking through Times Square as there were people everywhere, really don't think I've ever seen that many people in one place.

Met Liz tonight, another girl who lives in NY. Went to 2 irish bars where Liz knows the owners - the Thirsty Scholar and Lucky Jacks. They were great, just like you imagine NY bars to be - very long and narrow. Everywhere you go, you see people in little groups stood outside smoking - even if the bar has an outside terrace, guests cannot smoke in that area - it's bizarre! Met up with some of Liz's friends - on of which is a famous NY artist, his work is all over the city. He had a couple of abstract paintings with him and they were amazing. We also went for some Falafel cos I said I'd never eaten it - basically it's deep fried chickpeas and spices - sounds horrible but was delicious.

Up early again today - thought I'd try an american breakfast. I had french toast and bacon with of course coffee (do they drink anything else?). Not at all like our french toast - bit gooey and really soft, also covered in cinnamon. Trying to get used to the coffee here but it is so strong. Went to the Museum of Natural History today at Central Park - really far away so I got a taxi there - horrible. Could see my life flashing before my eyes, I swear he was insane! When I got to the Museum there were about 15 different school trips there - nightmare. Wandered around for a bit but there were screaming kids everywhere and my jetlag was starting to kick in so in the end I just left after not seeing everything. Wandered down to Central Park and I swear it took my breath away. I have never seen anything so beautiful. It is massive and I only saw a small part of it but I managed to see Strawberry Fields which is John Lennons tribute - not really much to see. Belvedere Castle which is now a weather station, a Swedish cottage which is now a theatre and the lake. I sat by the lake for ages, it is truly stunning. There are parks all over NY - any available space they get - they're even building some over the Hudson River! Now I understand why they love them so much. Decided next to go to Century 21, a discount designer shop - big mistake. First off it cost me nearly $25 in a taxi to get there, secondly I didn't realise it was right opposite Ground Zero and I really didn't want to see that. It was eerie, they were some tributes left but most of them have been moved into the nearby Church which wasn't affected at all. You can see the buildings all around still getting repaired. There were boards up explaining the history of the Twin Towers including their collapse and a board naming every person who died. It made me feel sick though, there were people taking photos (why?), a beggar playing Amazing Grace on a tin flute and someone selling 9/11 tribute magazines. I'm sort of glad I saw it, because it is a part of history but they way people were round there just sickened me.

Went into Century 21 afterwards but left straight away - it was crazy - literally hundreds of people swarming all over. Wasn't sure where I was but started walking anyway - got a bit lost and ended up in Chinatown but eventually found a cab (thought I'd take the chance again). Met Liz again and we went to the top of the Empire State - not impressed. Had to stand in 6 different queues to get up and down it and every turn, they're trying to sell you something. Amazing views from the top but word of advice - do not go to the top of the Empire State in December - never been so cold in all my life! Needless to say, we didn't stay long! Went for dinner and a few beers but jetlag finally overcame me and I had to spend my last night in NY in my bed!