Goodbye 2014/What I Seek to Be

On last New Year’s Eve, I said farewell to 2013 with a poem that documented my wishes for the coming year. Interestingly, most of these wishes came true in some form or another. But there were some things missing from my life. Read this poem to find out what they are, and to see how I summed up 2014. And let me use this occasion to wish all of you a wonderful new year filled with joy, laughter and dreams come true! May 2015 be the best year ever!

I look back on the year

And put each moment on a scale

I omit nothing, I face all:

Happy minutes

And tear-soaked hours.

I cannot deny that there was joy

In the air of distant lands,

The smiles of friends,

And the steps that led me

Further towards my goals.

But these moments, immortalised in a puzzle piece,

Cannot make up a happy image.

I had much, comforts aplenty,

But I was never loved, nor carefree.

Money flowed freely, like a waterfall.

One day there was wealth, the next a bare cupboard.

Ghosts danced around me

While I cried for mercy.

A few happy days passed

Between each month of agony.

I lived in the shadow

Of a sword hanging above me

With one foot slipping into the abyss.

The trumpet of doom woke me every night,

As I slept by a flickering light.

Even when spring bloomed in full glory

Or summer reigned with an easy touch,

I was afraid of the day,

Haunted by the past

And frightened of the future.

I was surrounded by friends

But my soul was alone.

In the warmth of a blanket, or a week-long heatwave,

I was always freezing,

Forever longing for a man’s embrace,

The only force to melt a frozen heart.

My fire was oft extinguished

By hasty rejection.

My naive heart crushed

By scorn and alienation.

It’s time to turn the page

On the chapter entitled 2014.

I guarded every happy time

To recreate in the new year.

But I bid farewell to all bitterness

Never to experience it again.

In 2015, I wish to travel the world

And make myriad friends,

And live in comfort and luxury.

But above all, I seek to be

Loved and carefree.

Barcelona – Prolonging Summer

I decided to embark on one last holiday before the inevitable start of the new university year. In an effort to prolong summer a bit longer, I chose a Mediterranean city, Barcelona as my destination. In terms of the weather, it didn’t disappoint me, as it offered a hot 28 degrees throughout the day and night. Although it was occasionally cloudy, but it was still warmer than London on an average sunny day. However, I couldn’t help feeling slightly underwhelmed. I knew that it was the second largest city in Spain, as well as a popular Mediterranean holiday destination, so I imagined it as a buzzing, vibrant city with a sort of permanent carnival going on its street. The real Barcelona, by contrast, is significantly more laid-back, which might be the effect of the hot temperatures… What affected me the most was the lack of night transport options. There was no late-night transfer to Girona, one of its major airports, which is surprising given its status as a global hub. That is not to say that I didn’t like the city. It is truly beautiful, its variety of architectural styles is exciting, and it offers what many urban metropoles cannot: a seaside beach.

As I was roaming the streets, I was seized a weird feeling. While arguably the city is widely different from my home town, Budapest, I wandered onto some streets that made me feel as though I was back in Hungary. I had a similar impression in Paris and Vienna, for example. Is it because these cities were all built in a similar fashion? Are all cities alike in some respects, because they were built by humans, and human nature is essentially more similar than we can imagine? Or is is simply that I am able to feel at home in many different environments? I mean, I’ve lived in 3 countries already, and I have an ever-growing list of cities I want to live in in the future. At any rate, it is always beneficial to explore new places, whether they are completely different or similar to where you come from, because they can widen your horizons, open your eyes to the beauties of the world and maybe even increase your appreciation for your home.

My regular readers know that I prefer to explore a city on foot, rather than taking public transport. In most cities this can be done with facility. It is still possible in Barcelona, although you have to be prepared to walk longer distances, as some of its major sights are slightly further away from the city centre.

I started my sightseeing trip at the Arc de Triomf, an edifice in the style of a triumphal arch. It was built as the entrance gate for the World Exhibition of 1888. In front of the arch there is a long, very pleasant piazza with fountains and palm trees.

 

 

From there I walked towards the Sagrada Familia. a peculiar church building that is considered to be the symbol of Barcelona. It is mind-boggling to know that it has been in construction since 1883, and its scheduled completion date is 2026. Apparently, the most challenging phase is yet to be started. It is already a remarkable feast of architectural creativity, so I am really curious about seeing the completed building in the future.

 

 

From there I walked upwards on streets with an increasing elevation, to take a look at another one of Gaudi’s designs. It was quite a trek up there, through narrow streets and battling through hordes of tourists walking two-abreast on pavements too narrow for more than one person. But it was absolutely worth the effort. The park’s cheerful architecture often reminded me of the world of the Flintstones, and it was a real haven of peace and relaxation. You can also get a breath-taking view of the city from the park’s peak. It’s definitely not the kind of park one goes jogging in, but it immediately became my second favourite park of all (right after the park near my childhood home).

 

 

I could have spent hours daydreaming there, but time was short, so I moved on to continue exploring the city. I walked back towards the centre, which gave me the opportunity to take in the various architectural styles of the city. Some parts of Barcelona appeared rather run-down and poor, but they still had a peculiarly Mediterranean feel about them. What I found especially appealing was the great range of little independent shops and cafés, which seemed to be favoured over identikit chain stores. The city has not taken on the international trend of over-sized takeaway coffees, but on the other hand, it does seem to have a penchant for fresh, delicious pastries and cakes.

 

 

 

From the more derelict back streets, I turned on to one of the more elegant main avenues, Gran Via de les Cors Catalanes. Here the buildings became more refined and the streets took on a uniform white and grey exterior. Of course the peaceful, quiet atmosphere I’d enjoyed until that ended as soon as I turned to a busier tourist road, but I was still captivated by the pure elegance of the area. (Ok, I won’t make any comparisons to Oxford Street, I promise!)

 

 

 

Then I turned on to La Rambla, an avenue widely popular with tourists, and at the same time a picturesque medley of Spanish architectural styles. Alongside the two sides of the road, it also had a third stretch of pavement right in the middle, which was dominated by various kiosks and food stalls

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was getting exhausted after walking around for hours, but I told myself that I couldn’t leave Barcelona without visiting the beach, so I marched on diligently. There was a protest going on at Port Vell, presumably against the high number of tourists in the area, so I had to seek an alternative route, but I reached my destination at the end.

 

 

The air was still pleasantly warm, but the water felt slightly chilly, so I didn’t stay long. Tired but happy and excited, I made my way to my accommodation to take a well-deserved rest. I stayed at the 360 Hostel (http://www.360hostel.com/barcelona/), which I can highly recommend. It is welcoming, comfortable and equipped with computers, kitchen facilities and balconies all free to use. The staff and the guests regularly get together for parties or communal meals, so whether you are looking for fun activities, or just some peace and relaxation, you can find it there!

 

 

Copenhagen – Day 2: Chaos and Miracles

I only managed to sleep for 4 hours before I had to get up in the middle of the night to catch another early morning flight. The gloomy, grey light that fell on the city did little to cheer me up. It was raining again (or maybe it never stopped) when I stepped outside to walk to the train station. In fact, the downpour was so heavy that I could almost swim in the puddles that had built up on the ground. Trying not to get lost in the darkness was hard enough in itself, but the rain made it significantly more challenging. I was relieved when I finally reached the station after a 10-minute walk that seemed endless.

However, my relief soon turned to anxiety when I was told that all the trains to the airport were cancelled due to the weather conditions. Apparently, weather-imposed disruptions on the network are everyday occurrences in Copenhagen. (These moments make me appreciate the transport system in London I’m usually so critical of.) I was advised to take the train to a large transport hub in the city centre and change to another train there. I began feeling slightly worried at that point, even though I still had plenty of time. Being prone to lateness, I always plan to arrive at the airport two hours before departure. So, there was no reason to freak out just yet. I had naively planned to get a relaxed breakfast after going through security, and now as I made calculations in my head (a rather painful activity at that time of day… I mean night), I maintained the hope that I would still have enough time for that.

I arrived at the transport hub and even successfully found the platform for my next train. The display informed me that it was due to arrive in 10 minutes. Excellent, I thought, quite a long wait, but everything is fine, there’s absolutely no need to panic. Then, all of a sudden, ominous yellow letters flashed up on the screen, telling us that the train was delayed by five minutes. I shrugged and returned to the book  I was reading to pass the time (The Name of the Rose, in case you were wondering), struggling to fend off my mood of annoyance. The next time I looked at the screen, I discovered, to my horror, that the delay had increased to 10 minutes. Then 15. Then 20, until there was no hope of the train arriving in the foreseeable future. It was at that point that I first considered finding a cab, but I was reluctant, partly because of the exuberant prices and partly because it would have required me to leave the station and step out into the rain. At one point the yellow numbers disappeared, and I was flushed with hope. Maybe the train is finally coming! Then, all my hopes were shattered when the hateful yellow letters invaded the screen again, announcing a further 20 minutes of delays. I realised the impossibility of reaching the airport by train, so I braced myself and returned to the streets.

The transport chaos affected a significant number of people around me, many of whom huddled together by the entrance of the station. Many Danes themselves struggled to find a way home, and nobody knew what was going on. The roads, by contrast, were almost empty, and there were no taxis around that I could have hailed. But I managed to obtain the phone number of a taxi company, and I dialled immediately, putting all my hopes into this phone call. But the operator told me that all the cars they had were in use, and that there would be no available taxi for the next hour or so. Time was rapidly running out. I abandoned my dreams of breakfast, I just wanted to get to the airport with enough time to get through security and reach the departure gate. I silently prayed to God to help me.

Then, all of a sudden, I noticed a bus across the road with the name of the airport as its destination. I didn’t know whether it was about to leave or not, so I began running towards it. But there was no need to rush. The bus was already packed, as fellow tourists squeezed onto it in a desperate attempt to get to the airport on time. I had no chance of getting on, and could do nothing but watch the bus driving off into the distance. The next bus was to be expected in 20 minutes. I was counting the minutes feverishly. If I have to wait 20 minutes here, and the journey takes at least 40 minutes, would I have enough time to catch my fight? My answer to that question was “maybe”,  pronounced with a faint tone of hope. But I could do nothing more. With no available cabs, the bus seemed my only chance of reaching the airport. Although, I must say, I didn’t understand why the buses could brave the weather, while the trains couldn’t.

And this is when God showed up and performed a miracle to help me. Even in the midst of all this confusion, deep down I knew that He wouldn’t leave me stranded in the piercing rain in a foreign city, and in the end my faith was justified. As I was waiting at the bus stop, a taxi appeared on the road out of nowhere. Two ladies flagged it immediately. I watched them with a sinking heart. How lucky they were, I thought, and decided to pay more attention to the streets in case another cab might pass by.

“We have one free space to the airport”, one of the ladies shouted towards the group of tourists standing at the bus stop. This was my golden moment, and I didn’t want to miss it. I jumped to the call within a moment, and soon I was on my way to the airport, arriving just in time to catch my flight to London. I was overwhelmed by feelings of gratefulness, joy and awe at God’s love and mercy. I had some moments when logic told me to stay on the platform and wait for the train, but now I could see that I was right in obeying His call to come up to the street. And while not getting a cab at the first attempt seemed like a disaster at the time, God had better plans for me. He didn’t want me to pay for the ride by myself, so He made sure I could share the cost with others. I knew all along that if I turned to Him and listened to His voice, He would help me, because His love for us is infinite, and His grace is way beyond my imagination. I could have left Copenhagen with a bitter taste after this adventure, but instead I will always remember it as the city where God performed a miracle for me.

Copenhagen – Day 1: Beauty through the Rain

I possess an insatiable desire to travel, and as soon as I return home after a trip, I immediately start planning the next journey. So this weekend I headed to Copenhagen, the capital city of Denmark. In a masochistic moment I booked an early morning flight, which meant that I had to travel through night-time London to get to the airport. No matter which place I had to go to, the bus stop, the night bus, the train station and even the train itself, I was surrounded by loud party-goers on their way home. I was relieved when I finally got on board the plane. The engine’s humming was music to my ears after the noises of the youngsters, and, whilst I was relaxing and enjoying the flight, I looked forward to my visit with excitement. On arrival, a heavy rain welcomed us into the country. But I did not want that to deter me, so I set out on my sightseeing trip with firm determination. I wasn’t even bothered by my less than suitable outfit consisting of a flowing skirt, ballet flats and a hat, but, of course, no umbrella. As we say in Hungary, I’m not made of sugar.

Where else could I have started, if not at Copenhagen’s most famous landmark, the statue of the Little Mermaid? I couldn’t help feeling flushed with elation as it appeared in the distance. Although I am not particularly obsessed with the major tourist hotspots, I must admit that even I fall under the magnetic charm of such sights. There is something truly magical about seeing something you’ve heard a lot about. The places that have evoked such emotions in me include The Statue of Liberty in New York, the Eiffel Tower, Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, and the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles. And now the Little Mermaid. I was slightly surprised by how small the statue actually is, far smaller than a real-life person. But this makes it even more powerful in my eyes. The rain showed no sign of wanting to stop, and within the first ten minutes of being out on the streets, I was sopping wet. But I pressed on, despite the slight discomfort of walking in wet shoes.

I walked towards the Amalienborg, the home of the Danish monarch. On my way there, I encountered several examples of the simple elegance of Danish architecture. I’ve always preferred elaborate, complex designs, but this no-fuss style was refreshing to see.

Even the Royal Palace seemed to blend into the surroundings. If it wasn’t for the stern guards standing by the gates like their colleagues in London, I might not have realised that it was a palace.

Then, “for something completely different”, I continued towards Nyhavn. I passed by a row of design shops, giving me another chance to marvel at the refined taste of the Scandinavians – as well as the slightly steep prices typical of the city.

Nyhavn is one of the most crowded areas I’ve visited in Copenhagen, and understandably so. The charming, colourful houses of this old harbour now mainly function as restaurants, presumably overpriced and geared at tourists. Nevertheless, I was absolutely seduced by the area, even in spite the crowds.

From there I walked past Christiansborg Palace and the Old Stock Exchange. The former is built in a similar style to the Amalienborg, but the latter is an imposing, lavish building. It was touching to see a series of rainbow-coloured flags on its tower, in honour of the Gay Pride event that was taking place in Copenhagen this weekend.

Then I crossed over to the neighbourhood of Christianshavn, home of Christiania, a free-town community of artists living independently of the Danish government. It included houses resembling garden sheds, a row of stalls selling folk art products, as well as places encouraging the consumption of marijuana. Some of the characters I encountered there were rough and slightly scary, and the whole area felt like a makeshift camp for the homeless, but the artist in me was attracted to this lifestyle of freedom, above the binding constraints of a ‘decent’ life.

Returning to the mainland, I walked along the waterfront towards the Town Hall. On my way I got the chance to take in slightly more ‘mundane’ buildings, which, nevertheless, still displayed the typical architectural features I marvelled at earlier. I love leaving the tourist tracks and seeking out areas that only the locals would frequent, because it gives me a fuller picture of what it is like to live in a certain city. As someone who likes to call herself a citizen of the world, I am always looking for a place where I would be happy to live. Copenhagen did seem like such a place. It is tranquil, stylish and liveable, if expensive . And I couldn’t help noticing how good-looking Danish men are. I practically fell in love with someone new on every street corner. Blue eyes, light hair… just my type of guys…

But back to the architectural beauties of the city… The area near Central Station was another jam-packed tourist hub. If you are into fun-fairs, you must visit Tivoli, one of the oldest amusement parks in Europe. But, as I am not too fussed by such establishments, I preferred to move on. As the area is so popular with tourists, international brands inevitably begin appearing along the busy roads of Vesterbrogade and Stroget, the main shopping street. I don’t really see the point of spending hours browsing the same items that I could also find at home, so I paid more attention to the detailed façades of the houses along the way. Although, I must say, I wandered into the Lego store with the wide-eyed enthusiasm of a child… And I was baffled to see a model of Tower Bridge made entirely of Lego bricks. Coupled with the never-ending downpour, I felt at home immediately…

 

 

I eventually left the buzzing shopping streets and turned to a quieter path again, heading towards Rosenborg Castle. After the all-day hustle and bustle of the city, the quiet and almost empty King’s Gardens were a piece of heaven for me. The castle, resembling the castles of fairy tales, put me in a dreamy mood. If it wasn’t for the rain, I would have loved to sit there for hours and let my imagination run wild.

I headed towards the Botanical Gardens, and intended to walk further up, but by that point the rain was falling in torrents, and I didn’t want to risk catching a nasty illness, so, with a great deal of regret, I took a detour and hopped on the metro towards my accommodation.

I stayed at a private flat rented out on Airbnb (https://www.airbnb.co.uk/), a service I regularly use. It is the middle ground between the exuberant prices of hotels and the risks of couch surfing, because these spare rooms in residential apartments and houses are relatively cheap, but the involvement of money still serves as a guarantee. And the level of service is often miles above that provided by hotels. The rooms are impeccably cleaned, and the hosts often provide little personal touches, such as a kettle and tea in the room, or maps and guides to the city. Of course, it also means that a guest has to be considerate of the rules of the household, but as long as mutual respect is given, this can be a pleasant experience for both parties.

So, at the end of a long and wet but still highly enjoyable day,  I went to bed in my cosy room to get some rest before another early morning flight back home. Little did I suspect the difficulties that I would face on my way to the airport only a few hours later, and the amazing miracle that God performed to set everything right… But I will tell you all about it tomorrow. Stay tuned!

The Many Faces of Los Angeles

My desire to see New York in bad weather came true sooner than I expected, as I made my way to the airport amidst a light drizzle. Luckily, it was soft and pleasant, far from the stingy downpour that London often experiences. Later, when I was aboard the plane heading to Los Angeles, I realised that I love flying. I don’t even know why, but I enjoy every moment of it, from the early check-in and the rigorous security screening to the moment of take-off and the actual journey. True, the seats of the economy class are so uncomfortable that every time I try to sleep I wake up more exhausted than before. But even the slight discomfort is dwarfed by the excitement of discovering a new place.

For two days, I had the chance to discover Los Angeles. And I must admit that it left me with varying impressions. It is a vast city with many districts that couldn’t be more different from one another. Of course I couldn’t visit all regions, but even the ones I did see gave me a glimpse of the contradictions that lie at the heart of the city. This is not an official guide to Los Angeles, but rather a collection of my personal impressions and feelings.

I stayed at a hotel in the heart of Beverly Hills, and I instantly fell in love with the area. It is peaceful, elegant and posh. The majority of the population lives in large, Mediterranean villas, and even the smaller buildings and the blocks of flats bear a touch of exoticism. The shopping district consisting of Rodeo Drive, Beverly Drive and Wilshire Boulevard feature all the luxury brands you can imagine, but lack the maddening crowds of typical shopping streets. Beverly Boulevard also includes my favourite restaurant, The Cheesecake Factory. I’m warning you, their cheesecakes are addictive! And I’d recommend the white chocolate latte of The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf café as well. I had a chat with the receptionist at the hotel, and she confirmed my feelings. Life in Beverly Hills is indeed peaceful and comfortable, even if it is slightly expensive.

 

Hollywood lacks the elegance of Beverly Hills. Its main roads are lined by Mediterranean bars, fast-food restaurants and cleaning agencies. And most of all, mini retail parks. They are complexes that contain 5-6 different shops. Every few blocks, you encounter such units, and they are quite similar to each other. They usually contain a fast-food chain (on a side note, Subway is the most common restaurant there), an Asian restaurant, a supermarket and a place that cashes cheques. The area is also ethnically diverse, as indicated by the abundance of international eateries. I even found a Jewish supermarket, where all the customers except me were Russian. Hollywood Boulevard is also full of contrasts. Here, fancier restaurants stand next to dodgy underwear shops and souvenir stores. The area that contains the famous landmarks is only a tiny fraction of the whole boulevard, but the density of passengers there is tenfold.

Downtown Los Angeles was a disappointment after the distinct character of the abovementioned areas. It is a typical big city area, with nondescript skyscrapers. It is striking only in its poverty. Most shops are in fact dubious jeweller’s stores, usually offering to buy gold. There is a high number of homeless people on the streets, many of whom appear as though broken by the vain attempt to get famous. A quick walk around the city centre was more than enough for me, and, seeking a way to escape, I quickly boarded a bus to another area.

Santa Monica is a charming seaside area. You can find the typical beach-front places here, cheap eats on the colourful pier, and more elegant restaurants slightly further away. It is quite popular, as indicated by the high number of cars in the parking lot, but it doesn’t feel overcrowded. The nearness of the sea and the pleasant warmth of the sun make it a very peaceful yet fun place to spend your time in.

Unfortunately, I could only visit a tiny proportion of the vast area that makes up Los Angeles. That’s why I hope I will get the chance to return and explore its many other districts in the future.

 

 

 

Adventures in New York: Day 3

I started Day 3 by returning to Battery Park. Although it is much smaller than Central Park, the closeness of the riverside attracts me to it. I took the Staten Island ferry, as it is free and there is no queue for it. I got to take a closer look at the Statue of Liberty. Whilst seeing the iconic statue with my own eyes was great, I was not as impressed as I expected. It is much smaller and less imposing than I imagined, and it’s interesting that one of the main sights of New York is located far from the mainland.

When I travel, I prefer to discover my destination as a whole, and gain an impression of how the residents live in a particular city. Therefore, after my encounter with Lady Liberty, I decided to leave the path beaten by millions of tourists and explore the various neighbourhoods. The quirky, artistic Greenwich Village was warm and welcoming with its low-key attitude and abundance of cozy restaurants. I can understand why so many students choose to live in the area. However, it was Upper East Side that truly impressed me. I got a glimpse of how the ‘Other Half’ lives. Combining my visit with another short stroll through Central Park, I witnessed families walking home to their townhouses from an afternoon at the park, and this seemed quite an attractive lifestyle for me. What can be better than a leisurely walk across the park with your children/dogs/partner after you return from your high-pressure job? Maybe it was because I visited during the weekend, but everybody seemed so relaxed and carefree in New York. This is especially true in the Upper East Side, and the townhouses that line the streets of the neighbourhood are among the loveliest I’ve ever seen. They might seem all the more attractive to me due to the fact that they are located in the heart of the city, rather than in the suburbs. I can’t deny that I’m a city girl at heart.

But when it comes to travelling, I prefer to save money on public transport, and try to walk everywhere I can. However, owing to the size of Manhattan and the fact that attractions were scattered all across the island, I soon gave up and took the metro. I immediately noticed how old-fashioned the stations and carriages were compared to the London tube. Is London really more innovative in this respect? Or is it possible that the New York metro works fine as it is, so there’s no point in changing it? I agree, but I must admit that there is not enough information of the network provided. The stations of a certain line, for example, are not listed, and it is tricky to find the train that goes in the right direction. It seems to me that to use the network, one has to have an insider knowledge of it. But tourists can’t be expected to have this knowledge…

Throughout my visit, I kept returning to the question: “Could I live in New York?” I think that I could. It wasn’t love at first sight between us, but I do find the city fascinating, its people unique and its lifestyle attractive. However, I could only imagine living there if I was well-off and could afford a place near Upper East Side. Groceries are ridiculously expensive. 3 dollars for a 1.5-litre bottle of water is far too much. And I wouldn’t feel safe in areas further out, such as Chinatown or the Bronx. Only with a good salary could I fully enjoy life in New York. I’m putting the matter into God’s hands. If He wants me to live here, He will lead me here. I don’t need to stress about this question. Even if this is not His will, then it was still a fantastic experience to spend a few days here. I leave a piece of my heart here, but at the same time, I’m looking forward to spending a few days in L.A. and discovering another face of the USA.

 

Adventures in New York: Day 2

On the second day of my stay in New York I continued exploring the sights of this exciting city. It took me a while to decide what to wear in the morning, and this led me to revise my packing strategies. The problem with packing in the last minute is that you end up throwing random articles of clothing into your suitcase, hoping that there are at least 2 matching items there. I didn’t find half a pair of shoes and half a pair of earrings, and I couldn’t decide whether I left them at home or lost them. I really hope that it’s the former case, even though it would be evidence for my extreme messiness.

But I didn’t let that ruin my day, so I stepped outside, eager to make the most of the day. It is definitely summer here, the air is boiling hot, and the hot coffee I picked up on the way felt like a mistake after a while. After the gloomy days of London, it was refreshing to see people in shorts and summer dresses. I think that the weather makes everyone more relaxed. Although I would love to see how people behave in winter. I need to come back sometime…

My first destination was Battery Park to get a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty. I walked down Broadway to get there, and even though the downtown section is less than glamorous, I did pass some important landmarks, including the 9/11 Memorial, Wall Street and Trinity Church. When I reached Battery Park, I thought about boarding a ferry there, but the endless queue stopped me. Instead, I headed to Union Square. I was pleasantly surprised to discover a temporary market there, selling vegetables and home-made produce among the hustle and bustle of the city.

From Union Square I walked upwards on Park Avenue, taking in the sights of the skyscrapers. Every building seems to have a different architectural style, but they mix harmoniously with each other. Modern glass towers exist side-by side with antique stone carvings, contributing to New York’s unique appearance. In this respect it is similar to London, but here it is on a much larger scale, just like everything else. On a side note, I was once again reassured of God’s love following me on my way. For example, when I needed a toilet, he directed me to a museum, and when I was suffering from a headache, he led me to a pharmacy at the foot of the Empire State Building.

Walking through Times Square was a slightly scary experience. While I found that the streets of New York were not so crowded, the crowds multiplied as we approached the square. I had to navigate my way through not only tourists, but ticket vendors and people dressed as superheroes. If I had to compare it to London, I would say that it is 10 times Leicester Square, with 5 times the crowds at Oxford Street.

Luckily, Central Park is not far from there. It is a refreshing sanctuary of peace amongst the skyscrapers, where the noise of traffic grows distant, but not too distant for those who, like me, enjoy the fast pace of urban life. Nevertheless, after trying to cram as many sights into the day, it was great to step back a little, relax and think about the things I’ve seen, and my life in general.

When it was getting late, I headed home. Needless to say, I got lost on the way. Unfortunately, I find the American method of marking streets slightly confusing, as avenues running all across Manhattan and streets stretching in both directions  don’t offer any guidelines about my whereabouts. But God led me in the right direction, and I was also helped by a kind lady in need of guidance herself, with whom we huddled over my map to locate ourselves. But we both reached our destinations safely, and that was the end of an eventful day.

 

 

 

 

 

Adventures in New York: Day 1

My trip to New York had a slightly rocky start, but God revealed His love again, and everything worked out well. First of all, due to my laziness and inability to organise everything properly, I came frighteningly close to missing my flight. By the time I got through security, the words “Gates closing” were flashing in red on the noticeboard for my flight. I began running, and praying silently, as I tried to manoeuvre through the crowd of passengers with immense suitcases. I reached the gate in the last second. I was welcomed by a well-deserved look of scorn on the attendant’s face. He told me that they were just about to take my luggage off the plane, as I failed to board. That was a narrow escape… But I bet not many people can claim that they were greeted by their name when they boarded the flight. The journey itself continued in a less eventful but more comfortable manner. It was my first long-haul flight, and I was a bit nervous beforehand, but, surprisingly, I took to it like a duck to water. I did not expect to receive not one, but two complimentary meals, but they were well-appreciated. The only negative I could mention was that I spent half of the time ‘fighting’ with those tiny earphones that kept falling out of their place. Am I the only one who struggles with them?

New York welcomed me with bright sunshine and a pleasant 22 degrees that feel like summer after London’s chilly 15 degrees. I boarded my train to the city centre, eager to finally see all the famous places I’ve only seen on tv. But then another difficulty confronted me. Although I made sure that I had enough money on my current account, for some strange reason and unbeknownst to me, a transaction didn’t go through and all my money reverted back to my savings account. This meant that I was stranded in the middle of New York without any means to even get to my hotel, let alone feed myself for a week. I was on the verge of crying. Thanks to the kindness of a ticket vendor, I could ride the metro to my hotel for free (that’s another Random Act of Kindness, by the way), but I still didn’t know how I could buy food for myself. I was close to panicking, and desperately played out all the possibilities in my head. I had the contact details of the Hungarian Embassy in case of emergency, and I also planned to call my bank as soon as it opened in England. But deep down, I was filled with an overwhelming faith in God. After all, He directed me to New York; He won’t abandon me there. I clung to this belief so strongly that all my fears were wiped away, and I could be calm and composed again. Rather than hunting for lunch in vain, I went straight to my hotel room, logged on to wifi and checked my account. The source of the problem became obvious to me immediately, and it took a mere moment to rectify it. I felt ashamed at myself for giving in to panic when I should know already that God’s love never fails, and He never leaves my side. If I don’t see Him, it is entirely due to my ignorance, and not to Him not being there.

With this knowledge, I decided not to waste any more of the precious day, and set out on a walk in the neighbourhood. My hotel is located in Chinatown, and the area’s sheer scale mesmerises me. It is almost like a city in itself, especially compared to the Chinatown of London. But most Chinese seem peaceful and relaxed. Even the market vendors sit quietly as passers-by scrutinise their products. Although I feel slightly awkward as the focus of everybody’s gaze when I enter a shop filled entirely with Asians, they are by no means threatening or hostile. But the city itself is crazy and restless. Drivers toot their horns all the time and swear at each other constantly. It’s great that the waterfront by Brooklyn Bridge offers a spot of tranquility and a sanctuary from the high energy of the city. But I love this high energy, as it energises and excites me. Tomorrow I’m planning to explore the most famous sights of the city. I’m looking forward to it!