New York state of mind

That will probably never happen again. I won lottery to get into New York City Marathon… but still wasn’t sure if I will go. Expenses very high. Marathon, trip, accommodation, all adding up to quite an amount. But eventually everything was sorted but had to keep rest of the costs to minimum…

Ok, trip started. Flight taken straight after work. Had to be quick. Bozenka was coming back late that night so had to let dog out for a walk on my way up to the airport. But I made it. So, I was on my way to the ‘Big Apple’. I was kinda stressed and excited same time. Even that I was with Bozena already once in New York we never saw that city at all. Marathon was just a cherry on the cake. Wanted to get good time here but that wasn’t a must (got to enjoy the run)… First things first. 7 hours flight to New York. Tired after whole day of work but was kinda waiting to watch couple of movies in the plane. I knew as well that would be better for me if I will be able to get quick nap and then try to stay awake as long as I could. Everything went as planned. Maybe almost… restart of my in-flight entertainment unit wasn’t on the agenda. My neighbour and me started to laugh. He took the photo of small linux box restarting. So, trip to NY was funny and pleasant. Shame that Bozena wasn’t with me on that trip… Eventually we have landed in Big Apple. When walking to pick up you could here that there was couple of runners or supporters who came here to cheer for each of the participants. You could feel the excitement in the air… Reality check now. Need to get from JFK to Manhattan 23rd Street besides 8th Avenue. Haven’t really checked how can get there. Was kinda late already and idea of using train and subway wasn’t very encouraging. So, took shared bus. What I didn’t know was that I will be waiting for almost a hour for a bus. And next 20 minutes until we eventually took off. To Manhattan. Another 40 minutes in the bus. At this stage I thought that probably I would be in the hotel already if I would take subway. Flight, bus but eventually at hotel, which was actually Christian hotel. Morning mass, nuns on one floor and cell size rooms 😉

Got there in the end. Left my stuff there and went for small walk. Just to look around. Sounds kinda stupid. Almost 11 PM, strange neighbourhood, don’t know were I was going. Came back, checked where expo is taking place. Decided that I spend next day just walking, no public transport. Went to bed, watched Metz game. MBL final which local team unfortunately was loosing. Must admit that I got hooked up for these couple of days. Next day was quite intense. From my hotel I had to get to Javits Convention Center – Eleventh Avenue at West 36th Street. Cause I didn’t want to waste any time in New York. I was just there for three days. Need to see as much as possible in that short period of time. So, 20 minutes to 8 AM I was waiting on Javits Convention Center for expo gates to open. I thought that I will be one of the firsts but apparently many runners had same idea. Already there was big queue before the entrance. All waiting to get their bib and probably buy some running souvenirs. Cause it was NYC marathon I had to buy couple of things as well. And cause Bozena wasn’t with me wanted to get her as well shirt from that marathon. Wandered little bit, saw couple interesting boots, but was restraining myself from buying gadgets, gear, shoes. Best way to achieve that was to leave the expo. Did that and decided to head towards Times Square. I wanted to see that iconic square, all these neon adds, rush and so on… Was enjoying that walk. Passing buildings which I knew from TV. Felt good, smiling to myself. Whenever I was passing Starbucks I was using their free wi-fi and was sending pictures taken here to Bozena. She said that she’s jealous of that trip. On the Times Square I took picture of famous army/police recruitment station. Was funny to see that. Just beside there was, of course, Hard Rock Cafe (become a member) and what was a surprise to me I saw Bubba and Gump restaurant. Do you remember movie ‘Forest Gump’? Shrimps restaurant with souvenirs shop. ‘Run Forest, run’, ‘Life is like a box of chocolate…’ surrounded you. Shirts, hoodies, caps, fridge magnets. Overexcited. Couple of rounds on the square. After that wanted to see glimpse of Central Park. Via 6 Ave to see Rockefeller building. Cause it was a Halloween weekend you could meet even Storm Troopers on the streets of ‘Big Apple’. Picture, Starbucks wi-fi, picture sent. Saw Central Park, knew that next day I will be finishing there so just wanted to leave that visit till tomorrow. Couple of hours into day already gone. Now walk to World Trade Center site, all the way from 61st Street all the way down where streets are getting names back. Not numbers any more 😉 That was a long walk from Central Part to WTC. Whole time 6th Avenue, passing districts, passing Empire State Building. Looking at life of New Yorkers. That was it. New York state of mind. Huge graffitis on the side of the buildings, lads playing wallball, coffee shops… air. Felt like I belong there. That was strange but… that was it. Saw the place where plenty of life’s has changed. Tragedy for plenty people. I haven’t thought that I will feel anything being there but… I felt different. Two monuments in place of two towers as a reminder of disastrous events happened on 9/11. Names of all victims as a core of the monuments. Where the towers were are now two holes where water is purring into. Passing of life? Lives ended too early. Still thinking about WTC attacks I have left site and almost got lost. But as soon as I got to 7th Avenue I was ok. Have checked how would take me to walk from hotel to ferry. Wanted to know just in case if something would came up with Metro. Yep, it was quite long. Probably another 10 km on the top of marathon later. So, that wasn’t an option. It was nice walk back to hotel. In all pubs, cafes, bistros you could spot people preparing themselves for Halloween parade. I was passed by zombies, nurses, jedi knights on the streets. Relaxed I was walking back. Relaxed, not knowing what I will experience next day…

Only thing I knew was that even that marathon is starting before 10AM I need to take ferry to Staten Island at 6:15AM. To get there on time (and have still one Metro trail spare) I had to be on the Metro station at 5AM. So, very early morning. Actually middle of the night… but evening before was still enjoying Baseball World Series…