Jul 17 2011
A DAY IN NEW YORK
Greetings, Cool Peeps:
I love my life in Swansea — most days — but there’s just so much “small town” I can take. That’s when I run off to New York, where I escape from all of the people who make me freakin’ nuts, only to find strangers who do the same. But I don’t know their names, and they don’t know mine. Sometimes being anonymous is just what I need to cope with my crazy life.
I know some of you have visited New York, and some of you have not. So, I thought that I would take a “cool peeps day” in the Big Apple. I hope you’ll enjoy this glimpse of New York through my eyes.
First, let’s drive up the West River Drive and into Harlem.
Welcome to Harlem. Isn’t this the coolest elevated train structure? I first saw this as a kid when my parents brought my little sister Hannah and me to New York. As soon as I saw this, I was begging my dad to stop the car so I could climb this monstrosity. He tried explaining to me that this was neither a jungle gym nor a playground, but I didn’t want to hear it. I just wanted to CLIMB!
And here’s the famous Apollo Theater, home to some of the coolest acts ever.
Now, let’s head south and stop in Central Park, one of my very favorite places in New York. I love the vibe here, and walking through the park on a beautiful day is one of the best feelings ever. It calms me down. As you might have guessed, “calm” is a state of being that eludes me most days.
Since I’m playing tour guide, let me take you to the area where most tourists go — to Times Square and the theater district. As you can see, I’m very popular here.
If you want to leave my tour and hop on a bus, here’s one ready to go. But wouldn’t you rather stay here with yours truly?
If any of you are Seinfeld fans, you know all about Jerry and the dude he calls the “Soup Nazi.” No soup for you!
Check this place out, peeps. Somewhere out there roaming the country is a guy named Tex who lived in Swansea for about a year. This guy was so freakin’ into me that he surprised me one day with a “Molly” tat that he got in this joint. I was blown away, but not as much so as when I saw that he had “Jennifer,” “Lisa,” “Susie,” and “Candy” also on his visible body parts. Seriously, who makes their body a human canvas to impress a woman?
As for this place, yeah, I’ve got crazy fantasies, but somehow I don’t think this story carries white picket fences. And if they do, they’re likely used for something that I can’t talk about in this blog.
Want to take in a show? You’re in the right neighborhood. How do you like this electronic billboard? I know, some peeps think it was King Kong who climbed the Empire State Building. Wrong! As you can see, it was really a giant red M&M.
If you want a fab meal before or after the theater, join me here on Restaurant Row on West 46th Street. I love Joe Allen’s. Someone I loved a lot used to take me here. Moving right along…
Do you want to pick up a souvenir before you leave? Here’s one of many shops you can check out. And no, peeps, that’s not Pebbles Flintstone in the window. It’s her New York cousin. She came here to be a model in the stoned age and this is what happened. The city broke her in two.
There’s so much more I want to show you in New York, but our tour is coming to an end as we head down to the Village. Peeps, let me give you some advice: if you see this truck, keep moving. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. Do not eat a freakin’ funnel cake! There’s close to eight hundred calories in these things, not to mention forty-four grams of fat. Let’s keep going and say goodbye to Cholesterol on Wheels.
It’s appropriate that I leave you at the famed music spot, The Bitter End, where many musical superstars began their careers. I’m going in for a glass of wine with this gorgeous dark-haired guy I just met. Wish me luck.
Tell me, peeps, for those of you who live in New York or have visited, what are your favorite spots? For those of you who want to visit, what are the places you most want to see? Any crazy New York stories for me?
See you next week.
Yours in pickiness,
Molly
Hey Molly,
I really want to come and visit New York, I have been planning to get over to your beautiful country for a long time now, and after seeing this blog, I definitely think I am very close to booking a big holiday for the beginning of next year. Definitely hitting up New York for a week or 2 hopefully 😀
As for places I want to see? I really don’t know, like besides all the big tourist spots like the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Grand Central Station, Rockefeller Center, Central Park and The Guggenheim Museum I don’t really have any idea what else to look at hahahahaha
Ok, I am going to go and book my tickets now 😀
Great post again Molly,
James
Hey James:
You’re first again! Ha ha! You know, one of the coolest things to do in New York is just to walk and explore. New York is just electric and has the best energy. I know you will love it.
Maybe you and I will catch a Broadway show together. 🙂
Hope you have the best trip! You rock.
YIP,
Molly
Hi Molly,
Your most-recent post makes my wife, Lisa and I even more eager to visit your spectacular country. We leave Australia, and set foot in the mighty US of A in October.
Originally, we had planned on seeing many of the beautiful cities throughout your vast country. Unfortunately, due to a serious dose of reality, our 12 day holiday limits us to where we can visit.
Hopefully, we can find a tour guide as helpful as you, Molly, when we visit LA and (of course) the city that doesn’t sleep, Vegas.
Another, Molly Hacker classic this week. We will wave to you from LA. 🙂
Hey there, Stuart:
It sounds as if you have a super trip planned. You made a wise decision to limit your visit to two cities. Trying to see too much can mean seeing nothing at all — except for the inside of planes, trains, and other modes of transportation.
I’ve known peeps who have planned ridiculous itineraries just for the thrill of saying, “I’ve been to X,” and “I’ve been to Y.” Who cares if you’re technically anywhere if there’s no freakin’ time to enjoy?
I’ve lived outside of New York all my life and still have seen all there is to see. But it is the great escape for me. Just wish I could have shared more.
Thanks for stopping by, and I’m sure you’ll find the perfect tour guide for LA!
YIP,
Molly
Molly!
LOVED the photos of NYC! I’m so ready to go back! I, too, love Joe Allens – seem to remember a special and fun evening there! Next time let’s all do dinner there! I hear it’s wonderful! In Central Park is the fountain that the opening credits for “Friends” was filmed. That was fun to see! My friends and I walked around in Brooklyn Heights near the river. It was absolutely BEAUTIFUL with all the trees, bushes and flowers in bloom! We meandered to a small park on the river and from there we were able to see the Statue of Liberty, tip of Manhattan, Midtown, Uptown, Brooklyn Bridge and the Empire State Building. What great photos we got from there! Again, thanks for the tour!
Hey Pam:
I’m jazzed that you enjoyed the photos. Your comments bring home exactly what I was saying to James — the best way to see this great city is to just wander — meander — walk — stroll or all of the above. There is so much to see and excitement just pours outta this city. OMG! You love Joe Allen’s too? Who knows? We may have seen one another in there.
Thanks so much for stopping by.
Yours in pickiness,
Molly
Great pics of NYC! We often drive through/around on our way places, but haven’t really visited in a several years! But, as you say, small town life sometimes isn’t anonymous enough, and I should take your advice and go to the big city for a while!
Hey Julia:
So great to see you again. For sure, a small town is great but on some days it’s like being trapped inside a freakin’ clam. I don’t think I’d love Swansea as much if it weren’t so proximate to New York. The next time you pass through New York, park your car and enjoy the city. Even if it’s only for an evening, recharge your batteries.
Yours in pickiness,
Molly
Molly, thank you for allowing me to live vicariously through you. I have such the travel bug right now, no funds. I love what you said about the energy. It comes across in the pictures. I hope to visit Central Park and have a genuine slice of New York pizza one day 🙂
Hey Jen:
Great to see you again, g/f. I know what you mean — it’s tough getting the travel bug and not having the bucks to go along with it. I have a feeling a smart woman like you is going to see much of the world.
Always love it when you stop by!
Yours in pickiness,
Molly
Molly, I have never been to New York, but I love your photos……Being from Chicago I have the knowledge of big city life, but I would love to visit New York and L.A someday!
Peace
Sheri
Hey Sheri:
Glad you enjoyed my quickie tour of the Big Apple. I wish it could have been longer. I hope you get to see this great city some day. I hear Chicago is pretty freakin’ awesome.
Maybe when you visit New York, you can stop in Swansea. We’ll do lunch!
Thanks for stopping by,
YIP,
Molly
Love the photos! And the one of Central Park reminded me of the nearby “Strand” bookstore!! Heaven on earth — a bookstore *in* a park!
Hey Leigh Ann:
Ah yes, the Strand. I spent an entire day in there once with someone very special to me. I’m getting all freakin’ teary-eyed now.
YIP,
Molly