New York was prep time for Europe. I was freaking out about the border and immigration officers after my horrible time with the USA's. I had no proof I was leaving Ireland, or Europe, so I was researching things I could do, but it wasn't enough. I wanted to talk to someone.
I looked up the Canadian Consulate, and decided to check it out. I found it pretty easy, it was attached to one of the big subway stations so I just followed the signs. I came across "Services to Canadians" and got to ask them what they thought I should do. I don't think they were used to this type of question, so after they looked confused for a bit they told me they didn't know... recommended asking the airline or a travel agent about what the border is like.
Well that was useless, so on my way out I asked where I could find somewhere to print some forms out... like a library or something. A man in a uniform showed me how to get to Kinko's, so I ended up printing stuff off there... I was downtown, so I asked where a TD Bank was too, so I could see about getting proof of funds in case that would suffice for not having a ticket.
The bank idea seemed fine until I told them it was a Canadian account. Unfortunately, even though the name is very similar (TD Bank instead of TD Canada Trust) they are not able to access each others accounts at all... they are separate! The guy was still helpful, and called the number on the back of my debit card to try and get information faxed over or something so they could sign it. They were not going to fax information at all, but the woman on the phone told me to print out a bank statement from online, then if I need it signed bring it in there.
It occurred to me afterward that that sounded like fraud. They couldn't sign anything I printed off if they didn't know it was true from their own records. I was not about to do that - a regular printed bank statement online would have to do!
I came back with two failed attempts and a printed off visa application for a long stay in France as an option. It was so sunny out, so Nic and I went to Prospect Park when I got home and hula hooped. I may have done this tomorrow but I can't remember so I'm throwing it into this day as an assumption.
I had a good time hooping it up :) I was to meet Elliot at a bar to watch the hockey game with some friends, so I found my way back to Manhattan... We had food and beer, until everyone took off. I can't even remember who won because it was a ranger's game not the Canucks. When it was over, we wandered into a bar across the street simply because it was called KGB Bar. Who names a bar after the KGB? I had to see it.
It was not as exciting as you would think. No crazy Russians. ah well.
I think we may have just taken a cab back, but it is kinda hazy.
The next day I woke up and wanted more food other than cereal. I wanted a bagel. I looked up where a good place would be in Brooklyn, and found a place named Bergen Bagels. It was highly rated, and not too far. I took a subway and found it no problem. I got to see a new part of Brooklyn too. The bagel place itself was amazing - decent price, and they had so many different types of cream cheese set up like those gelato bins. They had fresh chicken to put on panini's, baking that was obviously done there... just yummy all around.
I walked out with my breakfast and ate it outside on a bench looking around Atlantic Centre. This worked out perfectly, since this stop would take me to my mission of the day: getting my bank information printed, and checking out the Library at the same time. I got on the subway and found the library with little difficulty. It was huge and old - looked a lot like the city hall in San Francisco on the inside - made with huge lighter coloured stones, with embellishments and plaques and busts and the like.
I found the internet area, but I wanted to print directly from my computer not theirs. I didn't want to log into my bank information on a public computer... but they didn't have a way for me to print from my computer.
I looked around the library a bit instead then, took some photos... there was a room with a painting exhibition, and a pretty frescoed ceiling.
Walking out of the library you are right beside Bryant Park. I had heard of this park before last time I was here and didn't see it, so I went next door to check it out.
I think New York's parks are a large reason why I like this city. They have a lot of nice always-used parks where you will always see people enjoying nature and being chill right in the middle of craziness (the grass was closed today for some reason though). People eating lunches, people sitting smiling doing nothing but letting the sun hit their face. Big buildings are all around, but the sun still gets in there fully somehow. I took a couple pictures, on my way around.
Amazingly, looking around the park I saw a kinko's across the street... they are everywhere. I went in and asked about printing from my laptop, but they told me to go to the other bigger Kinko's across on the other side of the park. They faced each other on opposing sides: pretty funny.
I got to use it just fine, and walked out with two bank statements.
Next stop was the bank in case there was a way for the people in Canada to confirm balances by phone or something now that I had statements. You never know, right?
This was a different TD Bank, but they said it was not going to be possible to get anything confirmed by phone, and mentioned that my bank statement should be fine on it's own.
I left feeling a little bit accomplished, and found a subway station back that I had never tried: Grand Central Station. It was impressive! I think they have filmed movies there because it looked quite familiar.
Now here I am not sure if I hula hooped with Nic now or the day before. Meh. Either way Revival, the Couchsurfing weekly meet up, was going on tonight. Nic and I were going to meet Elliot there, so we took off. It was busy already... met lots of people as usual... two for one drinks and free food means my stomach gets full of chicken strips and gin. Yum. I ended up drunk but not too drunk... Elliot and Nic were definitely drunk haha. I headed back with Elliot and got ghetto fried chicken in Brooklyn through bullet proof glass. It was pretty awesome.
ok one more post and I am going to start doing stuff.
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