Adventures of a Korean Girl: New York Edition: Red-Eye Bleeds into the First Day

I am writing this in our hotel room as the others are catching up on their rest. The flights and the walking (withthe luggage) was quite tiring. Taking a redy-eye was not easy, but we managed. Upon landing in Houston, we had some time to eat and rest. The flight from Houston to New York was not that easy either. It might have been the seats (I relalized that these smaller domestic planes are nowhere as fancy as the international giant planes), it could have been my own nerves becoming excited about this adventure before I realized it myself.

Ready to go!

Shout out to Daniel: Hook 'em!

When we landed in Laguardia, one of the first things we did was purchase Metro-cards. Because public transportation is a necessity and a great tool in this city, it was something I saw as a requirement during our stay here. The city has different kinds of Metro-cards. The one we got was the 7-day Unlimited pass. For $30 we can use any of the (applicable) public transportation and as often as we want. Talk about a good deal! Having forced myself to become familiar with using the Metro map and our lovely Google Maps, I was able to maneuveur (with little to no hesitation) our way out of the airport and onward to Manhattan. (Thanks to technology, once again, and also to friendly strangers who are willing to help 4 tourists.) We took the bus and a few minutes later we found ourselves at a train station. We took the train to Grand Central Station. I have seen it in movies before, but never would I have imagined it to be as spectacular as it truly is. For one, it is the cleanest train station I have ever seen. For another, it is just super fancy. The large steps at the middle of the station are made up of marble, there are exquisit paintings on the walls and ceilings, and there is a successful blend of classy and modern. The central gold clock, the symbol and metaphor of Grand Central Station was easily noticeable and did not fall short of the many images of it I had seen in the past.

Grand Central Station!

It's grand AND it's central.

The golden clock

Afterwards, we headed towards the New York Public Library. For those of you who don't know, this library is the second largest library in the country, only second to the Library of Congress. Like Grand Central Station, the library is finely designed with marble walls (even in the bathrooms), beautifully painted walls and ceilings, and a great depth of history which many people work hard to keep undisturbed. Disclaimer: if you are a tourist as I am and try to take your luggage in (because you haven't checked into the hotel yet) you will not be allowed to enter. They have policies on no luggage and no flash photography. However, don't let that be a turn-off from exploring the library. Come back at another time, because it's worth it. The library has so many different stair-cases and elevators. There are rooms that are blocked off to the public (or require the public to make a reservation about a week in advance). Ivana and I compared this library to the library (and possibly even the castle) in Beauty and the Beast. It is almost difficult to actually get to the books you can read. Do not think that this is your average local library that carries the hottest novel or tween vampire trilogy. This library has wings dedicated to specific research and history topics. It can become overwhelming... Until you see college students who are sitting in these intimidating research rooms on Facebook or Youtube or watching dramas. However, do not let those who dwell inside affect your idea of the beauty and knowledge that this library itself contains. (Honestly, I wish I could have gone into every locked wing just to see what was in them.)

There it is! The Library!!

And across the street... Maria Sharapova's own little dessert place.

After the library, we walked and checked into our hotel room. (Even though the Metro card can be handy at times, it is sometimes easier to walk.) We are staying at the Millenium Broadway Hotel. It is so close to Broadway. (Again, when we go see the musical tonight, we will probably walk because the location is just so close.) While it is an old hotel, it is well-kept.