NYC Arrival

So, the day began after 3 hours sleep, at 5 AM (local swedish time) on the 23rd of january 2011. My mum drove the car to Kastrup (Copenhagen airport) and me and Peter were sitting in the back, talking and kissing. I had so many feelings in me, yet the most dominant one was tiredness. We queued for approximately 40 minutes to check in (I was flying with British Airways with a transfer at Heathrow, London, to the final destination JFK in the Apple). Once that as done, we had a quick airport-expensive breakfast during which tears kept filling my eyes when thinking about leaving Peter behind. They walked me to the stairs where we said our goodbyes. I cried all the way through security controls, but managed to finally get a grip before boarding the first aircraft (my eyes must have been proper red after all that crying though). Well on the plane, I tried to sleep, but with little luck. Instead I began reading the history of NYC in my guidebook (and it didn't take long before I fell asleep (not because it is not interesting, but because it requires focus and energy to be read, both which were scarce commodity...gasp!)).

The transfer at Heathrow airport went well, but was unusually humiliating. I could not help but think of my favorite Brandell back in Stockholm who asked the question why we put ourselves through this procedure voluntarily?! When answering this question in an objectively manner, the answer is a clear and simple - "because it is sooooo much quicker!". But, when looking at it at Heathrow today, I had no good answer that sprung to mind.

Anyway, at Heathrow I enjoyed a ginger muffin and a cappuccino from Starbucks whilst looking at all the British Airways-planes moving (or not (some were parked of course)) in front of me.

 @Heathrow

I left Heathrow on a Boeing 747. It is the biggest plane I have ever been in (3-4-3 with two aisles and second floor). The food and service was immaculate. I watched two films and slept a tiny bit in between. Once on ground at JFK Airport I felt my heart pounding and the butterflies in my stomach awakening. I was very excited. VERY! 4 young americans (I think it was two couples) said "American walls finally! Oh I have missed america! Welcome home everybody!" whilst we were walking in the first tunnel leaving the aircraft. I laughed a bit inside, both out of happiness for realizing I was finally here and also because all I could hear was the "God-bless-America-the-best-country-in-the-world"-cliché.
Passport and Visa check went fine and fast (they also took my fingerprints a second time, just in case). After that I walked straight through customs and out the exit. I am happy to finally be able to say: This was a Piece of Cake!
Once out in the air, the sun shone on me and yellow NYC cabs were lining up in front of me. I felt like I was in a movie, I still do fell that in a way... I got a cab, and the taxi driver was very sweet, although he was convinced that my luggage was filled with gold bars (since it was so heavy....) He told me a bit about things we saw on the way and also the name of the bridge which we drove onto Manhattan on (I can't seem to remember though, everything is a blur...)
Arriving at 125th street/Broadway avenue, I was home. I did not do much today, mostly stayed in and talked to family and boyfriend (with emphasis on the latter) on skype. Went for a little walk with Rebecka (my room-mate whom is also a student at KTH in Stockholm) to T-Mobile. We walked approximately 8 streets going north on Broadway. I bought a greek salad from a shop on my way back which was big, nice and really cheap, mmmmmm.

Here are some pictures, I have heard that a picture says more than a thousand words, which is good, because I am really tired now!

 In my very first NYC cab, spotting my first scrapers of Manhattan in the distance.

Walking on Broadway and the door to my apartment. 

My street corner.

My subway station. 

Best wishes and I will write soon again (first day visiting my temporary college tomorrow, yey!)

/Yan (actually, finally) in the Apple


After all of these feelings coming and going throughout the day, the most dominant one is still tiredness (note that this must mean I am on the edge of dying from it, because in every other case my superhero feature saves me from this feeling. When I should be tired, hungover, lazy or exhausted, I usually am not. Thank you superhero feature!)

Anyway - GOODNIGHT.