Last Year I went for four days to New York, unexpectedly and it was awesome.

Of course much too short to have seen it all, but enough to know that I will return to see more of it.

What stroke me the most was the contrast of the disreputable buildings looking as if the older buildings aren’t old enough to be overruled by the newer buildings. They simply match together and this is according to me the beauty of New York.

Frankly, I was constantly moving my head from the left to the right to above and again back to the left. I wanted to take pictures of every corner and every aperture that crossed my sight as if I was scared that someone would steal the views that enhanced my level of dopamine.

 

I do not know if New York and its architecture represents the rest of the cities of the United States but if it does I will visit in the nearby future more of them. It is after all not only the outer part of the buildings that is astonishing, it is also the inner part with amazing high ceilings, an amazing use of different materials and the tremendous views through enormous windows.

 

If I do have to be negative, I didn’t have the “wow-factor” feeling concerning the fact that I wás in that particular a little overdone city, since I am sure that there are many interesting and beautiful cities all over the world. But New York is certainly a city that impresses for many reasons and one of not so many cities you múst have seen.

For European citizens it is taking some getting used to and confusing when you have (read: obliged) to pay about 12 % extra tip every time you pay for a meal in a restaurant. Especially Belgian people, since we are used to give a tip whenever we want (or not) and how much we want, depending on our mood or the (great) service and believe me, we will never give 12%. Usually 2 euros is really the max.

But nevertheless “what a city” to go back to, because four days is not enough to have seen it all. It is also important to visit the different area’s and to not only stay in the main street that is a little overcrowded. We have visited the most important museums (Guggenheim,..) and places -described everywhere the internet- which are worthwhile , but we have also done a lot of visiting by foot alternated by taking the subway. Through that you see a lot of the colorful neighborhoods and you get the best idea of daily New York as it really is. Brooklyn, Soho, Upper East and West Side,…try to visit it all, it will leave behind a profound impression.

Striking, since it is not an established habit in Belgium (except sometimes on Sundays), it is unusual to watch many people having their breakfast elsewhere than the hotel environment and to be in line for it early in the morning.

Overall, New York is expensive to visit, the hotels and the 12% tips are making it a city where you spend money like water. Probably, the further away from the centre the cheaper it gets and since it has an excellent subway system, it is a good option to spend the night in often more special and creative art hotels at the edge of the town centre.

You will find a few personal pictures from New York on the website and if you still have to go…have a well-considered and inspired trip!