Mum's Monday I Heart New York by Lindsey Kelk

 I Heart New York by Lindsey Kelk

When Angela Clark went to her friend’s wedding little did she know her life would change forever.

In I Heart New York she catches her fiancé, Mark, cheating on her at the wedding. So armed with just the clothes she took away with her for the weekend, the bridesmaid dress she was wearing on the day and her passport, I have always questioned why she took her passport to a wedding, although there is an explanation in the story and yes, we should always be identity security safe, but the reason seems a bit sketchy. However, it did enable Angela to escape the wedding and fly to New York.

With half the money in a joint account she set up with her fiancé, she booked a hotel room and purchased other essentials she required. At the hotel she met Jenny who quickly became a very good friend and helped her get an interview at Look Magazine. Angela relayed the story of how she came to be in New York and when it came to being asked if she had a Visa to work she said ‘no’. The interviewer, Mary, wasn’t best pleased that she came for a job without a Visa, but after Angela explained that her story had all happened over the previous weekend, that annoyance quickly faded and turned into shock. The interviewer helped Angela by sorting out a visa and giving her the job.

What I love about the I Heart book is that at the back it has a mini guide to as in this case New York. including Bloomingdales and Tiffany’s & co. In this book Tiffany's is situated on 5th Avenue and 57th street. The store we visited was situated at the Rockefeller Center. It would be wise to to check locations and opening hours before visiting.

Here are mine and my very good friend Kathy Hamilton with whom I went to/shared my New York holiday experience with, thoughts on Bloomingdales, Tiffany’s and New York as a whole.

Mine

Tiffany’s - the store is small and the displays on show are sparse, and you do see walls of blue boxes. however, they do cover a wide variety of their products. the staff were helpful and although I didn't spend a million dollars I was made to feel as though I had.

Kathy

Tiffany’s - smaller than I thought and every thing on display sparkled and was shiny.

Mine

Bloomingdales - If you asked the right person or used the right technology on the right floor you can find what you want, in our case the/a famous 'Little Brown Bag' the location of these are tucked out of the way in a corner, not necessarily easily found. I personally think the location could or should be more prominent, especially how famous they are meant to be.

Kathy

Bloomingdales - The staff work in the shop but don't know where things are, like 'The Little Brown Bag' which found on the balcony and eighth floor in the end.

Mine

New York - New York is still a great city to visit, but it is not so easy as it was when I visited in March 2005 to get around by the famous 'Yellow Cabs'. Where there once was a sea of yellow you/we just stuck your/our hand out and, as of experience there was a cab curb side ready to take you door to door anywhere you wanted to go. Sadly, now, whether it be because of the pandemic or another company in the mix, there are fewer and far between yellow cabs and it is pot luck if you get one quickly or at all. In our experience it is a good idea and helpful to know the address of where you want to go. Although we did get into a cab and told the driver we wanted to go to 'Bloomingdales' he was a little unsure of where it was. We then became aware it would have been better if we had said the address instead, which is '59, Lexington Avenue'. This shows that it is helpful to google the addresses of the places you want to visit and make a note of them before you go if you intend to use the yellow cabs on you trip to New York city. Also be aware that the current climate February 2022 and for the safety reasons be ready with your Covid Vaccination Status and identification if you want to enter the 'Hardrock Cafe' on Times Square . We were initially refused entry so we decided to then carry both items around with us at all times to show if and when required. As we also had to as part of the entry requirement for the Broadway show Aladdin by Chad Beguelin, they inform you on your ticket information as to what is required for a safe entry. You can also check the show's website as well. Also we had to show Covid status and identification at the 24 hour Ritz Diner on 1st East 62nd near our hotel that we used for breakfast and an evening meal. Excellent food and excellent value for money. So it was worth carrying status and identification around at all times.

Kathy

New York - Absolute blooming amazing, the skyscrapers, the Empire State Building and the shops. I am surprised at the lack of yellow cabs.

Thank you for reading

Sandra and Kathy