Concrete jungle where dreams are made of,
Theres nothing you can’t do,
Now you’re in New York,
these streets will make you feel brand new,
Big lights will inspire you,
lets hear it for New York, New York, New York
I LOVE New York. I guess going from one city to another that makes New York feel like I've always lived there.
Me and my girls decided on a spontaneous trip to New York, lots of sightseeing, food, and oh...some Backstreet Boys. I would definitely do it ALL over again in a heart beat.
So it started last Wednesday, all four of us uber excited to get away. Our hopes were dashed slightly when our pilot was taken away sick minutes from us all boarding, leaving us with no flight. You can imagine our panic. Lets just say it was a good thing our flight was only half booked, cos we all managed to fit on the next flight out. There were a few people who didn't make it. Sucks for them lol.
Now i don't know if anyone has ever had the pleasure of booking things with a week or so to spare, but let me tell you...its not fun. My girls had already booked to go, they had everything...the hotels, trains, plane, concert tickets, the lot booked. I...well i had NOTHING. I'm still surprised at this moment that i managed to get it all sorted. I went there with only one concert ticket (the girls were going to three in total) and apart from the hotel being booked because they had already done that i was hardly set. But it all worked out in the end, i met a lovely fan on the BSB fan club who sold me a ticket to the NY show, and i guess from there it went somewhat smoothly for me.
So first day there, we were all craving some traditional American Breakfast (Well aside from me) so after heading out from our hotel we came across an Organic Restaurant, which quickly became our "Local". Fresh and Co is AMAZING! I only wish they would branch out of New York City and come to London.
So after we had our amazing breakfast we went for a walk before deciding to go up in the Empire State Building. The view was AMAZING and I would definitely recommend it!
After that we headed back to the hotel to change. We had a BSB concert to go to. The girls already had VIP to get in, but me being a late comer had literally nothing at that point. Met the nice fan in the queue and brought the ticket from her before following the girls to the VIP line. I was chancing being able to buy a pass to get in, otherwise i was thinking about skipping it. A GA concert on your own is no fun. It turned out Justin let me buy one, to which i think i scared him with my loud British self haha. We were all stoked we were going together after that. (Me and the girls, not me and Justin, LOL)
The soundcheck was ok. We basically made our own fun up by dancing and singing along in our own little way. It was a short soundcheck, nothing like the ones we had here. After it was done we got to have our picture taken with them. Have to say this pic really isn't one of my faves. I look like poo and Nick's trying to choke me..douche. LOL
The concert was AWESOME! I can never tire of seeing that show. If i could see it every day then I'd be happy. There's just something about it that i can't quite put my finger on it. It's probably one of the best shows I've seen. (apart from Pink, Queen and Linkin Park) lol
Ok so next day, we got up and headed to our local before deciding on going to Staten Island. After figuring out what train tickets to buy and which platform to go on (The Subway is VERY confusing) We were on our way. Love Subway trains purely for the Air Con (England, PLEASE catch on!)
I LOVED the ferry to Staten Island. There's just something about being on the water that calms me. I think i spent most my time hanging off the railings taking pictures.
Even tried to climb in and one point LOL
Once we got on Staten Island we discovered there wasn't much there to do LOL So after taking a few silly pictures we consulted our map and decided to head back.
We decided on heading into Central Park. It's so beautiful in there. Definitely puts Hyde Park to shame.
We went to Grand Central Station before walking the long walk to the park.
The next day we were travelling to Atlantic City. All of us had heard about it, but never actually experienced it. People had said AC is like a mini Vegas. They weren't wrong. From the fountains outside of ceasars to the huge hotels it was amazing. Not to mention we were right on the beach. Anyone who knows me knows what kind of connection i have with the ocean. I was dying to get on the beach, but that had to wait, as we had another BSB show to go to.
I had no ticket to this show up until around 20 minutes before the show. Wound up getting 5th row centre on my own. It wasn't so bad, the people sat around were cool and eager to know all about the UK. Guess my accent gives me away every damn time haha!
So after the show we headed to the Casbah club. We had a drink and stayed for a while, but honestly the music really wasn't our scene, either that or i wasn't drunk enough to enjoy it haha. We ended up on the beach. It was 1am and still so warm out. The sand was lush and i have to say i went a bit crazy haha, doing cartwheels and running into the ocean like a kid.
The hotel we were staying in, Trump Taj Mahal, was AMAZING in itself. Inside was a huge ass casino (as well as the concert arena itself). Our hotel room was HUGE and it had a beautiful view.
We went for a walk after the beach and took a load of random pictures.
After that we headed back to our room. It was nearing 3am and me and Sarah had already made plans to get up real early and go on the beach. Turns out i only got around 3 hours sleep, so when we were up in the morning i was looking real bad lol
After that we had to head back to our room and pretty ourselves up for Monmouth. We had a three hour journey ahead of us and had to leave in the clothes we wanted to wear for the soundcheck. We had the highest VIP (Which i wouldn't recommend) and wanted to look our best. Too bad the humidity ruined my hair lol.
Me and Sarah had made a bet the night before, on who could find the most random things with TRUMP stamped on them. It was hilarious, and i think i won in the end, or it might have been Brian with his TRUMP sweater.
The soundcheck in Monmouth was EPIC. I don't think I'll probably ever go to one like that again. The guys were so hype it was great. I was on some kind of delirious high from being awake stupid amount of hours and hardly any sleep, and i guess thats better than the moodyness i usually get when like that.
After that we had our picture taken singular with them. I'm not impressed with this pic, i look awkward and my hair...well no comment LOL. However love my dress so thats a plus haha. I deffo wasn't in full pose when this pic was shot lol
After that was the backstage tour. I didn't really enjoy it as much as i probably should. The fans there were just UGH, such major pains in the asses. Totally crazy and oblivious to the fact that Brian is actually a human and not some alien celebrity. I guess growing up knowing celebs and being around big stars really just doesn't phase me. I see the guys as normal humans, so i have the respect to treat them like that when around them. You won't find me gossiping or discussing stupid shit about them on message boards. I respect they have their own lives, and so should these other fans, but anywho...back to the topic on hand haha. He took us on his tour bus, and that was probably the most part i enjoyed, one because he seemed to relax physically, and two we actually got to talk to him without obnoxious freaks in the way. I thought Spanish and Danish fans were bad...but not..American's are JUST as bad.
After that we got to have something signed. I'm not an autograph person really, but Brian had given me one of his Wylee catalogues so i got that signed, and after that Brian told me to email his wife lol. Guess i made an impression.
Once that was done we all had a group pic (which i'm not posting cos honestly...apart from us and Brian the rest of the people are utter mongs) and then we had to queue up for a while before getting our front row spot.
Made some friends whilst waiting for the boys to come out. Was so much fun. That concert was the best one i'd been to on this tour. I had brought some banners that the girls back home made on the European leg and decided to represent the Howie love. He was cracking me up the whole show, laughing, winking and singing his way in our direction. At one point during the show they had out sweaty towels (ew) and a rose. Howie got his dancer to give them out and as he sat down i decided to act all sad that he didn't give me anything. Well he actually looked bad for not giving me anything and blew me a kiss. Thinking that was cute i went on with the rest of the show, singing and dancing and waving around my sign LOL. Then during I Want It That Way i was too busy singing along to Brian when i got smacked in the face by a super wet (and sweaty towel) first reaction was to gag and i guess Howie noticed that cos he just laughed. Which then sparked me off and i ended up in a laughing fit for the rest of that song.
After the show we took the train back to New York. We were staying in the Marriot On Times Sq (Thanks to Anna's staff rate!) I swear i actually died on the train back, was so tired. I remember walking through Penn station having to hold onto Sarah (i think it was) cos i was falling asleep walking.
We were on a high floor in the Marriot, it overlooked Times Sq and was so pretty. We were sad it was our last day so we spent it around Times Sq, taking in all the sights.
We were so sad to be leaving, i think none of us wanted to come back to reality. We ALL don't belong in London. I swear one day we will all be living in America!
Well i have to admit I'm feeling a tad lazy to type now. SO much more happened that I'm not going to go into on here, but i just want to say a big thank you to all the people we met who were nice and kind. We did come across alot of people who didn't want to know us as we are British. BSB fans are so lame, really lol.
And i want to say a big THANK YOU and LOVE YOU to my girls. I wouldn't of had so much fun if they hadn't of made me come. You girls are the best, and all i have to say is... BRING ON THE NEXT ADVENTURE!!
Here's some more pics. Leave me a comment :)
One hand in the air for the big city,
Street lights, big dreams all looking pretty,
no place in the World that can compare,
Put your lighters in the air, everybody say yeaaahh
