New York New York

I love New York. I really do. Arriving into Newark with my bag carrying Deutsches Scwarzbrot, heart brimming with anticipation of seeing Carl again, I scooted into the immigration line. I always get a bit antsy with American immigration - I have never had any incidents myself, but have had a fair number of beers listening to hair raising tales.

So, there I was all bushy tailed and bright eyed, well as bushy and bright one can look after eight and hour half hours of being fed what could hardly pass of as food! I am Malaysian - we have exceptionally high food standards. Given half a chance, this blogpost can turn into a food account. But no.

There are five times the number of people learning English in China than the number of people in England. An advert by HSBC plastered on the walls as I walked. As it tends to happen - I missed the whole point and instead worried about the fact that I did not know the number of people in England! Ha!

Then, walked up the officer, who then proceeded to ask me where I bought my Northface jacket and if I could step back so he could take a better look. Now, when an immigration officer says step back, you simply do without questioning.



Carl with his wine and his belated Valentine's gift

But, all cleared in a jiffy, out to Carl who was waiting with sunflowers. A man capable of finding sunflowers in winter is a keeper. He came equipped with wine for the super shuttle ride into the city and we met some lovely people in the shuttle including a fantabulous Norwegian who works for their parliament.

This city is amazing! Cocktails at The Standard with a view of the city - very classy. Carl's meal was miniscule -  you needed a magnifying glass to see it. Was hilarious when the cab driver asked where specifically we wanted to head to and Carl answered with "It's a surprise, so I can't give it away!"  The taxi driver laughed and asked if we were European!!

Carl's sirloin steak - funny when the waitress asked him how he liked his meal - he responded with "small"

Gorgeous start to the vacation - I will need to vacate my mind from all sorts of stress, and go conquer the city!