Tuesday, July 12
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The Big Fun
[journal] I expected to have a good time in NYC but was surprised at how good a time I had. Ying, my host, spent all five days with me which in my experience, never happens. After a few days most hosts usually let you "do your own thing," or pawn you off on their friends. I only hope I was as good a guest.
Some highlights:
McDonald's has a David Lynch inspired jailhouse in NYC (Times Square? I'm so bad with locations...). It's a black painted monstrosity with security guards who resemble wardens and rows of monitors flickering, looping commercials and propaganda. You'd expect at any moment for a Ronald McDonald caricature to pop out around corners and demand that you SUPERSIZE your meal.
Central Park is the size of a small city. On weekends it has so much going on that it's more interesting than theme parks.
Century 21 is a discount clothing store that's like winners, except it has three large floors and has better selection. The Zagat Survey rated it the best discount store in the world. I preferred this place over NYC's vintage stores, which were ordinary and overpriced.
Village Yokocho was my favourite bar. It had an esoteric entrance from its main hall that resembled a shabby entrance to a janitorial room or a non obtrusive pantry. Yet, once through the entrance, it opens to a lavish bar room with edgy Japanese servers in formal attire, all honourably doing their job, else hara-kiri. Light jazz music in the background, a 70s sleuthy feel, and tasty cocktails with catchy names like Manhattan red only made it better.
I really miss NYC right now while I type this with a cold and headache, exaggerated from the heatwave outside.
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