Kia Ora!
I realize it has been a while between blog posts, I make no apologies for this. I've been having too much fun.
I don't even know where to start for this entry, so many shenanigans have gone down since my last entry, but the ol' memory is a little hazy on many of them, so i'll start with last weekend.
On Friday I had my usual class at the United Nations, no big deal. Sam (my aussie room-mate and I) then went out for a few drinks on the Lower East Side (Cuba St of NYC, many a hipster) with some class-mates before meeting up with my friend from NZ Benny Bruno. Ben (in his typical, annoyingly generous fashion) took Sam and I out for a Mexican feast and some terrific tequila, followed by a Martguerita or two, it made for a restrained, composed and dignified night out on the Lower east side. On the way home we stopped off for a Sandwich at Katz' Deli (this is the place where 'Sally' has a fake orgasm in the film 'When Harry Met Sally'. It was pretty much amazing, more meat than you can shake a vegetarian at. I was a happy chappy.
Saturday morning at Benny's apartment greeted us with the increasingly familiar hangover. Ben; being the bright young lad he is, suggested instead of exerting any unnecessary effort, we simply order in a greasy feed to satisfy our cravings, and while we wait, play a few games of Call of Duty. Best hangover cure, ever.
A few hours (and a few more kg's on the belly) later Sam and I ventured uptown to meet up with the rest of the international kids at Times Square. Some went shopping, the more cultured amongst us went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It was all deeply rewarding and fascinating. I liked the knights in shining armour, perhaps I was a magpie in a former life?
Anyway, after our afternoon of culture, we caught the subway down to Chinatown for dinner with Ben + the Internationals (I wanted to go down to funkytown, but apparently there isn't a subway line that takes you there). Then followed Saturday night, and oh, what a night.
We hurriedly got readied in our hotel room which was 30secs from Times Square, grabbed a bottle of wine and jumped in the Stretch Hummer that was awaiting us outside. We had an hour in the limo to drink, relax, scream "What's up New York" from the hole in the roof, throw money in the air (ok, so it was only $1. But I felt like a baller, and that's what counts). Our limo then dropped us off at a club called Greenhouse, which is apparently super exclusive. The regular people had to pay $300 for bottle service just to get in the door that night (which, for the uninformed is a cover charge that includes a bottle of Vodka, excessive) - however, we were no ordinary guests, we knew someone, therein lies the benefit of being part of a group that covers almost every continent + more than 10 countries: someone always knows someone. One of the Spanish lads knew a bouncer or owner or someone, either way, we didn't stop to ask questions, we just waltzed inside, and had free bottles of Vodka supplied to our table all night. Not a bad start.
Then, the bartender informs us that Busta Rhymes was going to be stopping by later that night, cool. Don't know if he was actually there, cause I don't know what Busta Rhymes looks like, but it's the thought that maybe he was there that counts. Famous people I did recognize however, included members of an NBA team: the San Antonio Spurs, as well as members of the Superbowl winning NY Giants (saw the superbowl rings, pretty G). But, the moment of the night that surpasses all of the glitz and glam, and the one that will remain etched in my memory for some time to come, was the 'Gs' "making it rain" in the club. No shit. They were literally throwing money around, quite a lot of it, unfortunately I was on the other side of the crowded club so was unable to obtain any, but it was quite the spectacle.
I found some time to do some uni work. An hour to be precise, 20 mins of which was spent playing the guitar. In this time, I wrote a 3 page essay, and was given 90% for it. ha. what a joke. These people should really have higher marking standards, but they don't, and for that I am thankful.
Currently on my way to DC with the other exchange kids to hang out for Presidents Day. Probs gunna hang out with Brobama while i'm there, we are boys, got him on the text.
Contrary to popular belief, i'm not a super skux, the fact that I am the only guy surrounded by girls in many of the photos on facey is a mere reflection of the guy to girl ratio here. Once again, this exchange business is really tough.
I've learned little bits of Spanish, Italian, Turkish, my French is improving, and according to Mum and Dad my English has improved immeasurably, because (allegedly) I now speak slower and more clearly.
Anyway, that's probably enough of my ramblings for now.
Hope everything is well back in NZ
Hasta luego mis amigos!!!
