Overall

As a country lad from Australia, I travelled to NY in 1992 with a mate and was somewhat fascinated by the concept of "this is where it all happens". A place to see if for no other reason than it is so different from home. Now in 2008, I returned, this time with my wife (originally from Sydney, so accustomed to city life). Prior to NY we travelled to Vegas, all around Colorado and spent a few days in and around Savannah, Georgia. In these places, the people were extremely polite and courteous, worthy of the tips that are expected in the US. Scenery (bar city of Vegas, which is just bizarre, but fun) is as beautiful as the people. We get to NY - smiles, eye contact and good will toward fellow mankind are left far behind in the distance. We went to a broadway show which was a great experience, but still the people don't look at you. Went to Little Italy and had a great meal and atmosphere (run by Italian immigrants, not New Yorkers!). The city itself is simply gross at ground level. Rubbish everywhere. Sure, there are many interesting shops, museums, Grand Central architecture etc, but you still have to walk out into the filth no matter what building you've walked into. You still have to walk out of it. Ask a question with a funny accent and just get grunted at. No wonder they think Central Park is wonderful. A bit of green respite, but still 1,611,581 people sharing 843 acres still equals one acre of park per 1,911 people. We left New York and headed for San Francisco and surrounds...sanity again! We really enjoyed our time in the States, but New York? At least it is now "out of our system".I am afraid if it is meant to be something special, worth travelling out of your way for, then I must be missing something.

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Value

Great for: Theatre/Music

Last Visit: September 2008

21 September 2008 | A Yahoo! User

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