This blog goes in English so my friend Antonia (and other whoever wandered in here) might understand it. I just got back from a great weekend in New York. I had a chance to stay with Antonia (great, because hotel prices in New York are getting crazy). It turned out to be an adventorous tour where authentic scenes played out. I can mention a meeting with Gordon Gecko, the Pope, a friendly(!) NYC police officer and some real chineze wondering why a white fellow had stumbled into their turf.
Manhattan by night: Friday night Antonia and I wandered around in Manhattan (Soho, Greenwich and East Village). We had an awesome pizza, wandered some more and found an authentic Italian street cafe with the most amazing chocolate cake and cappucino, before we kept going for more experiences. We landed up at Union Square where a big party was in progress. There were literally hundreds of people dancing to their own beat from their mp3 players. We asked a nearby policeman about what was going on: “Well, you see some crazy kid got on to the internet and sent out a message of meeting up at union square and dance to your own music. You know, kids today…”
Astoria, queens: This is where Antonia lives. A very nice neighborhood right outside Manhattan. Very greek but with some awesome diners where I could get my pancakes, eggs and sausages for breakfast.
Central Park: I spent some hours hanging out in Central Park on a very sunny Saturday afternoon. It was absolutely great. Impressive how these New Yorkers have managed to fit such a huge nature area in the middle of an urban metropolitan. People were playing football, picking up a tan, making out or dads playing catch with their kids. I saw a young, hip, asian guy in his blazer and nice leather boots reading Nieche as well as Gordon Gecko in his suit, hair calmed stylishly backwards, stylish sunglasses, with fingers filled with rings smoking a huge cigar. Central park has all kind of types and people watching gets a new meaning. I also met up with the pope next to Central PArk at fifth avenue. That is, I got to see the whole charade of fortification his location: police, SWAT, Secret Service, tons of weapons.
A little bit of China: Later on saturday we decided to hunt for some authentic Asian food. Our destination was Flushing, Queens. Or as far as the No. 7 subway takes you. Coming there was like coming to Asia. All signs were suddenly in asian. There were street markets, flashy board signs and just as many people as you expect in anytown, China. We decided to go for a small foodcourt that somehow had come recommended. The place was downstairs into something that could have been a mall. Except that all stores were small dining places for different food. Everything small, hot and humid. Food was made on demand right there. Seating was provisional. All menus where strictly in Chinese, no English. And not to mention, we were the ONLY white in the entire place, drawing some heavy attention. Definitely an experience beyond what I had expected. If any Norwegian has ever been to the Foodcourt in Flushing, Queens, NYC, PLEASE let me know. I do believe I’m the first one! Later we went to eat at a recommended Korean restaurant. This too was very authentic. I got to eat some squids… whole. Nice and chummy.
ESPN Live: As most of you understand by now, I’m kind of a sports nut. I really do enjoy sport (football in particular) and so there are many in the US that share this passion with me. Not only that, I really enjoy a good cold beer and a BBQ burger as well (yep, real healthy food). ESPN, the largest American sports network, has understood that football, beer and burger goes together, especially when wathing on TV. So they have an ESPN center on Times Square on Manhattan. I decided to visit on my way back to the bus to Boston and figured there was no better place for me to eat than here. I got assigned a comfy armchair that had a tray mounted so you could eat, and a beer cup holder on the other side. In front of it were 12 huuuuge screens showing all kind of sport, even football! Perfect place for Me 
Check out more pictures here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=108717&l=e39e6&id=817800261
