Manhattan, 2018
There's really no way to experience this city, or this island the same way twice, I think. Every little day and every time is just different. The weather is temperamental this time around and somewhere Suffolk County, Long Island, a young girl died from sweltering heat.
Anyway.
I'm almost convinced NYC is my soulmate city. I haven't felt this alive in so many months, perhaps for many different other things like, Manila right now gives me a really crappy vibe with all the politics, and many other things. I felt the floodgates of my soul open as we entered New York once again. This time, I've gotten most of the touristy things out of my list and my head so I was there to try to live like a New Yorker {or at least, closest to}. I've stalked local New York sites to get a feel of what I needed to do and what I was after. Several days before my trip, I still didn't know what to do for an authentic New York experience and I really just decided to wing it.
I'm pretty sure that not a lot of New York locals pose for a photo in the middle of Times Square but my mom and I just came from the Music Box Theater and watched Dear Evan Hansen so yes, this is my New York photo.
HOWEVER!
One of the most unique things I've experienced in New York was being present in the run of Sleep No More in The McKittrick Hotel along W 27th Street. I only knew of it as immersive theater and darn, what an immersive experience it was. In a nutshell, Sleep No More is a theater noir adaptation of Macbeth, think Alfred Hitchcock and Mulholland Drive in five storeys. Everything is dark, you enter the theater with a mask on, you're not allowed to talk for three hours and that's all I can say. Here are photos though:
Since I wasn't working in New York City and I had to spend my hours somehow, I ate my way and drank coffee like a New Yorker would {I'm assuming}. It helped that I followed several New York based Instagram accounts that helped me decide where to go at this time and relying on Google Maps is well, who I am.
Romeo & Juliet Cafe
At the Levain Bakery
At Carrie Bradshaw's Apartment, 66 Perry Street, Manhattan, NYC
Blueberry Laminated Brioche at Dominique Ansel Bakery, W 7th St.
Los Tacos No. 1 Chelsea Market
Already counting the months to my next New York trip, can't wait to explore other boroughs then! And maybe just maybe, I will finally be able to catch GGFO by then <3