5. Go on an overseas trip

I was sitting on a beach at Byron Bay (January 2010) when my beautiful friend Annette suggested that I accompany her on a holiday to New York. My initial reaction was ‘you are bloody crazy, lady’! Crazier even as she was leaving for New York the following week. She was going to see Kathy Griffin and wanted a travel buddy. I initially declined, how could I? New York next week, it sounded so crazy. She wore me down with stories of the adventures we would have. Finally I relented. I phoned my manager and (very politely) asked if I could return to work on Monday and then take an additional six days annual leave. Fortunately I have a great manager who agreed that it was an offer too good to refuse. I booked my ticket on Saturday and got on the plane to New York the following Tuesday. After a 20 hour flight we landed in New York City (via a stop over in LA). It was amazing and magical. One of the most amazing experiences of my life. We walked and walked (in the snow), we traveled on the Subway, went to Central Park, saw a show on Broadway (Hair) and went up the Empire State Building at night. New York is like no where else in the world. It is difficult to articulate what it is about the place, it has that something special. I can’t wait to return.

I am pictured above with Carlos Trinidad, a friendly New Yorker who we made friends with while eating our breakfast one morning. Carlos sat with us on a few occasions while we ate our bagels and drank our coffee. We shared our bagels with him while he told us stories of living in New York. Most of the New Yorkers that we met were so friendly and helpful. Most say ‘you’re welcome’ when you say thank you. I loved that!

The photograph below was taken from on top of the Empire State Building. It snowed while we were up there. Pure MAGIC!

The photograph below was taken in a cafe. They sell beer everywhere in NYC, most milk bars have more beer stocked than the other drinks combined.

The bar was called Boots and Saddle. We found it by accident before lunch.We sat at the bar ordered a Bourbon and our new friend John shouted us a shot of tequila. We drank with the gay boys as one of our best days in NYC unfolded. Annette made friends with a store owner and worked behind the counter. She also introduced her ‘Hugs from Australia’ campaign to an unsuspecting America. She must have hugged more than fifty people that day. Some even crossed the street for a hug.

The photograph below was taken of us in a helicopter about to fly over New York. Annette surprised me with this. Flying over New York at sunset was something that I never imagined I would experience. It was amazing. The thing that amazed me the most was looking at the Hudson River from above and seeing where the plane made the emergency landing. Also seeing how big Central Park is!! Central Park is huge, from memory it takes up 52 city blocks, its size can only really be appreciated by viewing it from above.

The above photograph was taken of Annette and I in Central Park. Central Park in winter was magical. Annette has a crazy idea that we are going to return to New York to run the New York Marathon. She is one crazy lady…

The photograph below was taken of us (in our matching I love NY tops) about to board the flight back to Australia. We didn’t want to come home.