5 Pointz

So yesterday I decided to check out a local place called '5 Pointz'.

5Pointz Aerosol Art Center, Inc. is an outdoor art exhibit space in Long Island City, New York, considered to be the world’s premiere “graffiti Mecca,” where aerosol artists from around the globe paint colorful pieces on the walls of a 200,000-square-foot factory building.

I'm not the biggest fan of grafitti normally... but this stuff was incredible and so detailed. It really was just like visiting a huge art gallery. Stunning stuff.

Coney Island

For months I've wanted to visit Coney Island, but it's always been too cold. On Monday the sun was out, so I decided to catch the hour long subway down to the beach. I hopped off the subway at Brighton Beach... which is along the coast from Coney island. I walked along the boardwalk and then by the sea for a mile or so. As it was a monday, the beach was quiet. I kept thinking about a famous photograph by 'Weegee' which shows thousands and thousands of people at the beach in the 1940s. I can imagine once summer is here, the beach will start to get very busy.

Once I got to Coney Island, I saw all the old restaurants and amusement parks which look quite run down... but still hold all the charm that Coney Island has to offer. After months in the hustle and bustle of the city, it felt strange to be somewhere so quiet and so different. Everyone at home mentioned the film 'The Warriors' which is supposedly all set in Coney Island - but I haven't seen it!!

Weegee - Coney Island - 1942

The last trip to the launderette...

Every Sunday without fail, we have been going to the local launderette. Jamie and Kayleigh were lucky enough to experience the true excitement of doing our laundry... as were Lewis & Nial, Brad and Andy, it's just part of our Sunday routine! We only pay $3 for washer and dryer which isn't bad, and usually get a drink and watch tv for 40mins. After a long week and a busy weekend, there usually isn't much talking in the launderette, and it's always great when we get home and off to bed!

Chelsea Pier Driving range

The first time I noticed this driving range, was last year on a University trip, when we were on a boat trip up the Hudson river. From the water it looks unbelievable! So Jamie and I had to give it a go. We obviously don't have our own clubs over here... but we hired out a driver and a 6 iron and bought 90 balls to hit. It was about 27degrees that day, and neither of us had a golf glove... We were both so close to having the golf club slip from our hands and end up half way down the driving range! Luckily that didn't happen.

The driving range - not my image.

Jamie

aim for the yacht...

Brooklyn BBQ

On Thursday, the three of us spend the day in Brooklyn Bridge park, playing football on the pitches eating ice creams and sun bathed... We were there all day, as we met Willie after work and decided to have a BBQ by the water. We had a great view of the sunset as we tucked into our steak sandwiches! Good times!

New York Yankees game

Last Wednesday, Jamie, Kayleigh and I decided to watch the New York Yankees. We traveled into the Bronx to the Yankee stadium. With baseball games, I find what's going on around the stadium a lot more entertaining than the baseball itself... That was definitely the case with Wednesday's game! Great food options, drinks and music... oh and baseball.

256a Reunion in New York!

Jamie and his girlfriend Kayleigh arrived on Monday to spend the week with us before traveling Mexico. Willie, Jamie and I were living together in our last year in Aberdeen, so it was great to all be in the same place again!

The first few days were roasting, and we all got a good wee tan! Unfortunately Willie had to work during the week, so it was only the 3 of us exploring on Mon - Fri. Great days out during the week, finished with a BBQ, overlooking manhattan from the Brooklyn Bridge park at the other side of the water.

Typically it rained over the weekend... We had planned to spend the day recovering from the night before, on the beach in Coney Island, but the torrential rain changed our minds. On Jamie and Kayleigh's last night, they treated us to an unbelievable Thai meal just round the corner from the flat. Definitely sad to see them go!

Ground Zero

On Sunday evening we visited Ground Zero. As soon as you are in the memorial gardens, there's an eerie feel to the place, with the sound of the two waterfalls drowning out any noise from the traffic.

Knowing that 3000 people were killed there on 9/11, in an event that was shown throughout the world made is horrific. It's not until you see all the names above the waterfall of those who died, you really understand how many people were effected by 9/11. You forget that the memorial is also a place for people to go and grieve their loved ones, and the flowers and letters left beside a number of names is so sad to see.

The 'Freedom Tower' is the new building being built at ground zero, which is due to open 2014.