New York, New York

New York City was amazing, of course. As soon as we got there I couldn’t believe just how packed in and busy everything was. It’s a cliché observation, I know, but there was just absolutely no space anywhere.

Even the cemetery was packed to the brim. The gravestones were piled so high and placed so tightly it looked like its own little skyline.

Even so, it was still amazing. I’m still reeling from all the wonderful things I saw and did. We went at the busiest time of year, for sure. I could barely make my way out of 30 Rockefeller Plaza…everyone was way too excited about ice skating.

Times Square was the most stimulating place I’ve ever been in my life. How sad is it that my immediate thought upon seeing it was “Wow, I wish I could see how Tokyo stacks up.” Argh, that’s me, always wishing I was somewhere else. Despite my wanderlusting self, I was still incredibly happy to be in that city.

One of the more exciting things I did while there was tour Food Network Studios. It was incredible! I got to see absolutely everything: The control room, a set, a taping, the Food Network kitchens (it smelled SO good), the catwalk above the set, and an editing room with two very nice editors. I’d love to work at FN someday. I’d never be hungry!

I’ll end my ramblings about NYC here and leave you with some more pictures.

Life Updates Regarding Travel

Hellooo travel buddies!

Sad to think that summer is just about over…and I haven’t even left the state! Ugh. I’m itching to cross state lines (or leave the continent…whatever). I thought I would take a moment to catch you all up on what is happening in travel-plan-land AKA my life.

-My trip to New York City is on the move! Tickets are booked for mid-October. The next step will be to book the hotel and to, well…save all the money I can. I’d really rather not spend crazy amounts of money. My friend and travel pal, Sarah, and I have already gotten discount tickets, and we’re going to book a budget hotel…so I kind of want to keep the theme going. There’s plenty to do in the city for free, most of it being visiting rather iconic locales. To just walk around in Times Square or Central Park would be plenty for me….and plenty free! So, we’ll see if I can stick to an NYC budget.

-Louisville, KY is host to a very cool event every Fall called the Idea Festival. Brilliant minds and speakers come together and share ideas and what not. Pretty darn cool, you say? Well, it’s even cooler this year because Anthony Bourdain is a featured speaker! And yours truly got a tiiicketttt. I’m pretty stoked. (And I don’t use “stoked” lightly.) But really, I admire Bourdain and what he’s done for travel/The Travel Channel. He’s a brilliant, funny guy who just tells it like it is, and really wants travelers to experience more than a luxury hotel. I’m so glad I get to see him! And, bonus, it’s mere days before my birthday! Pretty sweet deal.

-You all NEED to check out STA’s World Traveler Interns. Their trip is almost over, and it seems like they’ve had an amazing time. Lindsay Clark, one half of the WTI duo, is keeping up with her personal blog [Nomadderwhere] as well, so please check it out. Good stuff, people. Good stuff.

That’s it for now. Hope you all have had a wonderful summer. Make the most of the last few weeks! The next trip I’ll be taking is back home for a week to spend some down time with my family.

Happy trails.

The Tourist that Ate Times Square

Exciting news, blog-friends.

A friend and I have just purchased tickets to NYC for a mid-October trip!  This friend of mine is a regular New York trip taker, whereas I have never ventured father north than Ohio. So this will be exciting on many levels: My first trip to one of the best cities in the world, AND I won’t get lost!

I’m already making intense sightseeing plans. My list is going to be hard to accomplish seeing as we’ll only be in the city for three days. The main things I want to hit?

-Times Square (duh)

-Tiffany’s (even only for a minute. I need to have an Audrey moment)

-Central Park/Bryant Park

-An art museum. I think we’ll go to the MoMA. Maybe Guggenheim.

-Little Italy/Chinatown

There are a lot of other things I want to do, but with limited time I have to pick and choose. Or just not sleep, which we all know is possible in NYC.

Any sight suggestions? Favorite restaurants? Do tell…I have a few months to plan, and believe me, it’s all I’m going to be thinking about!