After packing our suitcases the long journey home finally began. After the most amazing holiday of my life i was happy to sleep on the way back and think about all the exciting things i'd done. I looked though my camera about a hundred times as i couldn't get over what a mind blowing time i'd had. My movie holiday had come to an end and now it was time to go back to everyday life. Soon id be back at uni, back at lectures and back to work....

After our intense sovenier shopping (where i brought i love new york t-shirts, a miniture empire state building and a bear dressed as the statue of liberty) we made our way to Grand Central Station. To complete our tour of all of New Yorks tourist attractions we looked around the stations which is more reminiscent of an art gallery with its beautiful muriels, statues and large clock in the main room. It displays exquisite and stunning architecture. Of course we also had a cheesecake from the cafe voted to do the best cheesecakes in New York; i had a rasberry ones which was delicious but if they wanted constructive criticism id say it needed a bigger biscuit base. For lunch we went to Macys where i had pumpkin soup served inside a giant bread roll which tasted amazing. It did feel slightly weird though just picking up the bowl at the end and eating it.

And so the final day in the big apple began. We visited Toy R us which had a giant carosel in the store which definatly made it a fun environment for the children who are its target consumer and a tourist attraction as well as a store which must increase customers. We visited American Eagle which was doing a promotion where if you brought an item you could have you photo taken and put on the building outside which is in the centre of Times Square. This again i felt was such an innovative use of technology and a create way of promoting the brand and increasing sales. We also went to the Herseys and M+M store as well as a variety of tacky stores where i probably brought half the store as i absolutly love tacky soveniers.

After walking back to the hotel we relaxed in bed for an hour which only seemed like 5 minutes and then we were off again for dinner. Due to the decision to rest at the hotel for a while though the place we wanted to go to for dinner was full so we ended up having a bowl of pasta in a random take away place. Afterwards we headed to the broadway theatre where we were seeing Mary Poppins, Anna brought a twenty pound programme but i was getting poor so brought nothing. The show amazing with so many stunning visual effects such as her flying up into the ceiling, a large umbrella coming out teh floor and a whole house coming down from the ceiling onto the stage. Exhaustion was taking over though and i found it extremly difficult to keep my eyes open so after i was straight back to the hotel and my comfy bed.

We went to the top of the empire state building on Saturday, with my quesy belly the lift up there was horrible but once at the top the view was amazing. I could see across most of New York 360 degree views; I could see the statue of liberty and central park. Due the excrusiating cold i had to keep going inside again but it was an amazing experience, also extremly scary though as i kept getting worried about dropping my camera. Afterwards we walked (the long walk) to central park. Outside there was a man dressed as the statue of liberty and people offering horse and carriage rides around the park. Americans really set a standard and are always trying to impress. We walked around the park and towards the zoo, but the cold by this point was enough to really make you feel in pain so we didnt go inside the zoo. We brought some honey coated nuts which was so nice and warm but after a while became abit sickly so probably should of went for another pretzel. We saw the eye witness news van aswell and people with cameras so maybe we ll be on there...you never know.

By saturday i was really was begining to get exhausted. Today we went back to Planet Hollywood for breakfast though. I had eggs florentine was delicious at the time but i soon regretted it as i felt sick for the rest of the day, really wish id had the pancakes! Also i doesnt really look that appealing in the photo. Today we visited Berdoff and Goodman and the Abercrombe and Fitch store which really was how everyone describes it, very dark with a night club feel and full of extremly good looking people.

Whilst in Downtown we visited Century 21, Old Navy, the Prada store which was astonishing visually and American Apparell which i compared to Juicy couture and noticed a visual merchandising trend presenting itself of circus' which both innovative and useful in portraying the brands personalities. We went to Planet Hollywood for dinner which again was amazing. Everywhere you went their were items from films, masks, props clothes and signed hand prints from everyones favourite stars e.g. Robert Pattison!!! There a huge car hanging off the wall and models of famous creatures hanging from the ceiling. It really was an experience.

I had the most amazing pretzel whilst waiting for the Staten Island Ferry and am quite disappointed it was the only one I had whilst in New York. When the ferry arrived there was a mad rush to get on it which was quite stressful but we made in and got a seat outside ready for the obsessive picture taking when we saw the statue of Liberty. Out of all my experiences seeing the statue has to be the one that was most like something out of a film i was crazily taking photo after photo I almost forgot to actually look at it. The ferry was so unbelievably cold i couldn't actually make the whole journey outside as my hands were in pain (i was too scared to wear gloves in case i dropped my camera in the sea). The next stop on our tour of America was Ground Zero, the is such a sombre atmosphere when there it is eerie. Knowing your in that place is so overwhelming. We went to the tribute centre which was one of the most inspirational place ive ever been in my life. There were objects they'd collected from the rubble such as ID cards and even a plain window. There was a room where the walls were just covered in photos of those who'd died. Finally there was drawings children had drawn and things people who'd visited had written. It was one of the most upsetting places ive ever been yet so inspiring and amazing. "On that terrible day, a nation became a neighbourhood, all americans became New Yorkers."

The next day we were up early again had our usual one/three muffins and we were off. We walked to Times Square as we'd heard we got get cheaper tickets for a broadway show there. Once we arrived though we realised it was closed! We went to the official tickets place and spent about half an hour with the attendant deciding what show to see as they were all quite expensive for the worst seats. Once finally deciding on Mary Poppins we were told we could only paid by card. So onto the third place where we finally got tickets for Saturday night. So that took about an hour! We got the subway to Downtown which turned out to be quite complicated as there was no one around to tell us which one to get. Luckily Anna vaguely understood as I had no idea.

And the evening..well..it was Knicks time!!!
I must have taken a million photos that night, me and Anna definatly looked like crazy tourists. The whole experience was just mind blowing like everything you see on TV but your actually there. We brought foam fingers of course which not many people actually had neither were they wearing Knicks tops but we were excited. We joined in the chants, watched the cheerleaders and other entertainment and saw someone propose on the big screen. I was so exhausted but the buzz of the game kept me exhilerated and awake. I collapsed in bed as soon as I was back.

Thursday night has got to be my favourite night which is saying something as they were all so amazing. Me and Anna went to the Hard Rock Cafe for dinner which is right in the centre of Times Square. In America i noticed alot of restaurants as well as shops try to make dining an experience; they also have shops inside the restaurant selling merchandise associated with the brand. Hard Rock was amazing, there was so much to look at we spend about half an hour just walked to the entrance of the dining area. Its makes it a defibate worth while tourist experience to have so many fascinating things around you. Once seated I ordered my burger with was delicious and the waiter was very friendly and gives the impression he is invested in you as a person which makes the experience more enjoyable.

Whilst walking past the public library we also met a very friendly man who obviously new we were foriegn from our obsessive photo taking. He came and spoke to us for a while, told us he loved english people and had a photo taken with each of us!
...I thought he might appreciate a mention in this blog

After the excitment of getting the Knicks tickets me and Anna ventured our way to the NBA store to buy a Knicks top because of course we wanted the full tourist experience but the official tops were way too expensive. The store in itself was very impressive and reinforce my view that the US retail market is much more innovative in its visual merchandising than i feel the UK currently is. The sign for the store had a giant basketball hoop filled with basketball, the revolving doors even had arms across the area you push holding a basketball. To enter the store you have to walk down a spiral ramp which is clever as it allows you to see all the products in the store while you walk down which i felt was an affective advertising technique. Many stores in the US also create an experience whilst in store rather than just an area for purchasing. There was a display of clay basketballs all indented with the players hand prints which were huge and a poster of three basketball players displaying their height (the tallest being nearly eight foot!!)

We saw NBC studios and the Rockefellar Building which i have to say slightly gives you a headache when you try and look at the top and makes you feel like you might suddenly fall backwards. We also saw the Radio City Music Hall which I havnt heard of before but Anna was taking photos so i decided to copy. We had our lunch at Starbucks as we were still only new to New York we didnt really know any good lunch places so ended up having something we could of had in England! We also decided after hearing everyone else talk about it we made a mad rush for Madison Square Garden were we had a very stressed out wait in a que as we could hear groups of three or more get turned away but finally we were so lucky and managed to get the last two seats together to go see the New York Knicks!! The seats were awful but i didnt care i knew it would be an amazing experience.

Now onto the sights...
We generally just walked round all day like crazy tourits taking photos of everything some are alot less flattering than others, I blame the bright lights of New York for making me look quite strange in some of them e.g. the one above. I also was so excited to be in America I had a photo taken with a subway sign, whilst an American man had to wait while it was taken to get by..I could see him laughing!

So then the sight seeing and serious shopping begins...
As we walked around New York land marks appeared all around us, places we'd heard about and now we were stood right in front of them. I noticed New Yorks were very innovative with their advertising, creative and daring. Large TV screens were displayed on subway entrances that showed adverts. I am also informed (as i didnt get a taxi myself because to be honest they drove like nutters) that taxis had small TV screens on the backs of their front chairs showing advertisments. In Macys the DNKY sections also had TV screens behind the tills displaying the clothes shown on the catwalk which is an effective way of showing the fit and fashion influence of the clothes you are purchasing. In Saks I felt many of the stores were laying out their section reminiscent of interiors such as lounges which gave a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere as if you are browsing round somewhere familiar.
I also of course had a photo taken with the Fifth Avenue Club sign!

After a few hours I was unconscious in bed i have to admit, it had been a long day. Early the next morning the thrill begins again as if it never goes. You wake up in ore of your surroundings so excited to step out the front door everyday and wonder what sights you will see. After what i think was a glass of cream (as i dont like tea or coffee) and one (or maybe three) muffins we headed out for The Fashion Institute of Technology where we were seeing an exhibition. We saw to exhibitions; American Beauty: a stunning display of clothes that aim to show a relationship between beauty and art and the technical craft of dress making. The pieces were beautiful so intricate and delicate. The second exhibition was Night and Day which showed fashion through a variety off eras displaying how women were expected to dress. Many of the eras had wonderful designs that were inspiring to anyone wanting to be a fashion designer.

The first night we arrived it was late but in a city that never sleeps the pace of life was vibrant and animated non the less. Me, Anna, Toni and Ella were desperate for a glimse of the amzing world we'd stepped into so off when went to begin our journey. Surrounding by bright lights and towering buildings in a buzzing environment it was overwhelming; i'd never seen anything like it!

Arriving in New York was like being part of a movie; it felt surreal to finally be in this place i'd been obsessing about for so long. As someone who is an avid fashion follower as well as a definate famous tourist attractions obsessive I was living the dream. As we drove across the bridge the dazzling lights of New York eluminated the distance and the view was stunning. I definatly felt like I was part of a film.

The whole journey there me and Anna talked about what we planned to see and also how to write this blog! Most people were trying to sleep so we were probably slightly annoying but we were so enthusiastic and thrilled we didnt even want to sleep; this all changed once we'd been travelling for ten hours of course.

At six o' clock in the morning tired isnt even the word; trying to pull my suitcase through the snow (which is an impossible task) I made my way to the coach. Though sleep deprived and cold i have felt so excited. There was a buzz coming from everyone we were on our way to New York!