Adventures in the city, Take 1

So before I start this post I feel the need to mention that I'm writing it at Starbucks in Union Square sipping my pumpkin spice latte and people watching from my seat at the window. (I'm already becoming a true New Yorker! Ha)

I also feel the need to mention that my family thinks I won't be able to handle living in the city and the small living arrangements and high expenses it entails. Um... did you SEE the apartment I lived in Madrid? Becca and I slept in bunk beds for 6 months and we both couldn't stand in the room at the same time without hitting one another. I think I can handle a small NYC apartment. Actually the apartments are heaven compared to what I lived in at Penn State. Thanks for looking out though.

Anyway, since arriving in the big city things have actually gone pretty smoothly surprisingly. Aside from lugging 4 bags (2 huge ones and 2 small ones) across 42nd street and having them all fall down bringing me down with them and running along the East river in the pouring rain and having a taxi cab speed by splashing the biggest puddle of water into me and my mouth everything has gone great. Seriously it has!

Paddle boating in Central Park is something I have ALWAYS wanted to do, but I have never had that special someone to do it with! Boating in the lake with a girlfriend just doesn't give the same vibe as it does with a boyfriend or girlfriend. AND since we decided to partake on this rendezvous during labor day weekend in the city it really wasn't crowded and the line wasn't long at all! This is definitely something I recommend to anyone. It only cost $12 for an hour and let's be real that's almost free in terms of NYC money. Wait until I get to the drinks and dinner portion of the night. We went boating for about an hour and then explored the park as much as possible before getting hungry. It really has so many hidden gems, but takes multiple days to explore in its entirety. Thank god the rain held off too otherwise it really would have killed our plans.

After a great day spent in the park, Thomas and I went to The View for drinks. The View is an amazing restaurant and bar located inside the Marriott Marquis in Times Square. It's an absolutely amazing and truly romantic spot for anyone. The restaurant spins so you get a 360 degree view. (When we first sat down I actually went up to the host and asked to change seats because at that time we didn't have the best view. In response he goes oh you'll get there the restaurant spins and showed me that we were slowly moving. Now can you tell I'm not from here? Rookie mistake) 


Anyway, we knew the place was going to be pricy because you're really paying for the amazing view of the city you get but DAMN $35 and 2 drinks later we headed to dinner. (I do feel the need to mention I got a Long Island and Thomas got a bourbon and water, but if we were going to pay double digits for a drink anyway we planned to make it worth our while!) 

Loeb Boathouse, Central Park

Belvedere Castle, Central Park

For dinner we went to one of my favorite restaurants in the city, Becco's. I love this place because they have one of the best pasta deals in the entire city. (And if you know me you know I will always look for places with some great pasta dishes!) You get a caesar salad and 3 different types of homemade pasta that are refillable for only $22.95! The waiters come by and ask you if you want more of the certain type of pasta when they see your plate is clear. Yes, please!

While my first weekend in New York was truly everything I hoped it to be and more I'm sure I'm in for the monthly cry sessions when I have to pay my rent, going crazy in a 3 bedroom tiny apartment, and dreading that morning commute with hundreds of other people in the morning, but I'm finally in New York so it's okay right?