The British are Coming!

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I am certain that this has been asked on other threads, but as there are a good dozen of us coming to NYC in 2 weeks time, can natives and others please list their essential things a foreigner should do in the city? Especially the smaller, more intimate, transient things that the guide books won't mention but which will still fill your reserved, repressed and badly-toothed cousins with joy and wonder.

― Markelby (Mark C), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 13:27 (twenty-one years ago)

1. fumble with newfangled mickey-mouse currency, esp. when tipping bar staff

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 13:29 (twenty-one years ago)

Coming on a lady's fur coat is always fun.

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 13:29 (twenty-one years ago)

pfff, i can do that at home

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 13:31 (twenty-one years ago)

You can do that in Britain! Except the ladies don't tend to assume it's charming and debonair.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 13:32 (twenty-one years ago)

serious doe - and before Barry gets cross (if it's not too late) i could use some recommendations too having never crossed the pond before so fire away

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 13:32 (twenty-one years ago)

Also where a girl can get nice clothes and shoes and where is Clinique Bonus Time happening please?

― Madchen (Madchen), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 13:34 (twenty-one years ago)

Also is anyone wanting to see Sodastream at the Fez on the night of 21st April?

― Madchen (Madchen), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 13:34 (twenty-one years ago)

Barneys is always worth a try. As is Bleeker Street

― Slacker, Tuesday, 6 April 2004 13:36 (twenty-one years ago)

[gritted teeth] that's the night before we get there...

also is century 21 still there? it was, um, a little close to ground-zero, but i think ppl have said it's still there...

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 13:37 (twenty-one years ago)

sodastream - that would be nice, not sure if we'll be fulfilling duties tho :o(

― chris (chris), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 13:38 (twenty-one years ago)

Yep, Century 21's still there, still bargainous. Right opposite ground zero.

― Slacker, Tuesday, 6 April 2004 13:39 (twenty-one years ago)

Fulfilling duties is a bad thing? ;-) (sorry vicky!)

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 13:40 (twenty-one years ago)

what is century 21? am I going to spend stupid dollars there?

― chris (chris), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 13:40 (twenty-one years ago)

Sorry, I got that wrong, they're playing in Piano's on 21st and Fez on 23rd. Twice in a week!

*sound of Ally C fainting*

― Madchen (Madchen), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 13:41 (twenty-one years ago)

Yes! Like TK Max but 1000 times better. Loads of designer and non designer clothes at stupid prices.

― Slacker, Tuesday, 6 April 2004 13:41 (twenty-one years ago)

Ooh, that sounds good.

― Madchen (Madchen), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 13:42 (twenty-one years ago)

Stella McCartney jackets for $99. Hmmm.

― Slacker, Tuesday, 6 April 2004 13:43 (twenty-one years ago)

oh .....my.....god

― chris (chris), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 13:44 (twenty-one years ago)

Thursday Mornings, new stock arrives.

― mark grout (mark grout), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 13:45 (twenty-one years ago)

And Alexander McQueen shoes for the same!

― Slacker, Tuesday, 6 April 2004 13:45 (twenty-one years ago)

I want to come to New York!! I am v.v. tempted to max my overdraft and give Madchen lots of money to buy me nice things.

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 13:45 (twenty-one years ago)

Do it, do it!

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 13:46 (twenty-one years ago)

Century 21 could be combined with a slow walk up through Tribeca, towards Soho. For this last part I suggest 4-ish, when the late lunch lingerers start to mix with the early drinkers and it's still quiet on the sidewalks. Battery Park is also down near Century 21. The round-trip ferry to Ellis Island from there is only six bucks, and includes entrance to the Ellis Island Museum, which I STRONGLY recommend.

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 13:46 (twenty-one years ago)

I wanna go to new york! :-(

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 13:47 (twenty-one years ago)

No! I don't have a job! I owe lots of money to lots of people! And that won't go away just because I have nice clothes!

(x-post)

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 13:47 (twenty-one years ago)

century 21 is a big discount department store. you can get silly bargains but it can be a bit stressful. i rely on it for hosiery and deep markdowns on designers otherwise out of my price range. most recently i got a silk eley kishimoto top for $25, a balenciaga jumper for $80, and a costume national pullover cloak-type thing for $30. if you're willing to spend a bit, you can get fantastic values on in-season gear - pucci shirtdresses at $700 as opposed to $2500, for example.

xpost

― lauren (laurenp), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 13:48 (twenty-one years ago)

Of course it wont Ailsa, but nice clothes....!!!!

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 13:48 (twenty-one years ago)

Ellis Island museum! Yes!

Incidentally, I'd love to do lots of my NY exploring with other ILXors. People who are free in the daytime (mostly brits, presumably), we should sort out a few excursions if that's not a bit too organised...

― Markelby (Mark C), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 13:49 (twenty-one years ago)

but you mustn't do the open top lower manhatten bus tour, cos that's what we're doing to while away the two hours between ceremony and dinner.

― Vicky (Vicky), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 13:50 (twenty-one years ago)

but if you don't want to pay for the ellis island ferry, you can take the staten island one for free, and you get pretty close to the statue of liberty.

(NB: i have never lived in new york, so please take suggestions from authentic new yorkers before me. i've just written a list of things to see for several friends in the last few months)

― colette (a2lette), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 13:51 (twenty-one years ago)

Eat at Eisenberg's Sandwich Shop, 5th Avenue and 22nd street.

― Nemo (JND), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 13:51 (twenty-one years ago)

ALSO I am going to be too busy spending money on MYSELF to shop for OTHERS (but if you want some DF fags I could oblige :))

x-post Mark, don't know about you but my mobile won't be working - maybe we could compile a list of who's staying where for easier contactability, otherwise I'll be spending the whole week on public library free-use internet.

― Madchen (Madchen), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 13:52 (twenty-one years ago)

DF fags? Are those homosexuals from Mexico City?

― Nemo (JND), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 13:53 (twenty-one years ago)

if anyone wants i can do a big list of places to shop as i'm extremely shallow and materialistic.
a few free/v. cheap, non-shoppingcentric activities: the staten island ferry, a walk over the brookyn bridge to the brooklyn heights promenade, a ride on the tram to roosevelt island, the lower east side tenement musem.

xpost - eisenberg's is great!

― lauren (laurenp), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 13:53 (twenty-one years ago)

Start by doing the obvious things
Go to the top of the Empire State Building and do the boat cruise that goes right around Manhattan (takes about 3 hours). The third obvious thing to do was go to the top of the WTC, now I suppose it's to go to the Memorial. Also take the Staten Island ferry.
I've never seen the point of going to the Statue of Liberty though, and I never have.

Londoners should realise that the underground doesn't work the same way as the Tube (trains on the same line stop at different stations) so to figure out what's going on you must get an underground map and then it's easy.

Stick with Manhattan. The middle bit has the Empire State Building, train and Bus Station but should be avoided otherwise (not dangerous, but dull and grim). You can wander around Upper East Side, Greenwich, and Upper West side without any idea where you're going , and see interesting stuff on every street.
I think it's Roosevelt island that has a football pitch on it.

― Joe Kay (feethurt), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 13:55 (twenty-one years ago)

*sulks*

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 13:55 (twenty-one years ago)

Madchen, my duty free is sorted already as trip to mega-cheap Gibraltar next week, hurrah. Buying of people's birthday pressies etc...

(update, I no longer don't have a job thanks to useful phone call two minutes ago)

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 13:56 (twenty-one years ago)

where is Clinique Bonus Time happening please?

Madchen, you don't have to go all the way to Nu Yoik, Boots in Sauchiehall Street, right now!

― smee (smee), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 13:56 (twenty-one years ago)

is it lame to want to go inside the Statue Of Liberty's head and yell various movie quotes and song lyrics that seem fitting for such a situation? cos i'm gonna

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 13:58 (twenty-one years ago)

I was hoping to compile a list of who's staying where, when they'll be over etc. from everyones RSVPs, (as requested in the invites) but they've been a bit lacking.....

Re. clinique - I was looking forward to getting cheap clinique, but my friend sent me some Liz Earle stuff, and I've been completely converted...

― Vicky (Vicky), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 13:58 (twenty-one years ago)

(update, I no longer don't have a job thanks to useful phone call two minutes ago)
Hold back on the nice clothes. sorry ailsa. :-(

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 13:59 (twenty-one years ago)

Tracer's suggestion sounds perfect to me - Friday is my main Manhattan sight-seeing day, Sunday being for Brooklyn and Coney hopefully.

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 14:00 (twenty-one years ago)

I need some advice for where to get my makeup done on the sat - should I just go to clinique or similar, and get it done for free, should I do this earlier in the week, then buy the stuff I like and do it myself, or should I pay money and get it done properly?

Likewise hairdresser - anyone got any advice? (obviously Phil's suggestion on the other thread is a contender)

And flowers - anyone know of decent not too pricey florists? Other alternative is to go to the flower market and do a DIY job.

― Vicky (Vicky), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 14:01 (twenty-one years ago)

Statue of Liberty was closed, but due to reopen soon.

― mark grout (mark grout), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 14:01 (twenty-one years ago)

DONT get your make up done for free, you'll end up looking like Coco the clown, I guarantee it!

― smee (smee), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 14:02 (twenty-one years ago)

this thread is making me want to go shopping.

― mandee, Tuesday, 6 April 2004 14:03 (twenty-one years ago)

I would try it out before the morning of the wedding Vicky!

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 14:03 (twenty-one years ago)

(update, I no longer don't have a job thanks to useful phone call two minutes ago)
Hold back on the nice clothes. sorry ailsa. :-(

Hang on, that means ailsa Does have a job now, yeah?

― mark grout (mark grout), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 14:04 (twenty-one years ago)

Here's some links

nyc shopping trip
NY fashion
RFI: Good places in NYC for getting work done
New York records stores, etc.
new yorkers, please help my flatmate
New York Restaurants
Another clothing advice thread.

― Mary (Mary), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 14:04 (twenty-one years ago)

Skipping 307 messages at this point... Click here if you want to load them all.

Your scampi's not down you're not coming in

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 13:51 (twenty-one years ago)

madchen/carsmile, you know that the booker at Fez is Sinister's very own Br1an W1nters? Maybe he can put you on the guestlist!

― phil-two (phil-two), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 14:10 (twenty-one years ago)

Really? Good man. I don't think I've ever actually spoken to or emailed him though. Has Carsmile? Is Carsmile still here?

― Madchen (Madchen), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 14:26 (twenty-one years ago)

yes i'm still here and i knew brian was the booker at the fez, but as i haven't spoken/emailled/chatted to him for probably three years i thought it a little rude just to contact him to say "put us on the guesty pls".

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 14:53 (twenty-one years ago)

I could ask the person organising the tour to put you on if you want ...

― Mooro (Mooro), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 14:57 (twenty-one years ago)

As third support act.

― N. (nickdastoor), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 15:01 (twenty-one years ago)

i'll remember to pack my spoons, just in case...

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 15:01 (twenty-one years ago)

By popular request, the Carsmile Reunion tour kicks off in NYC!

― Mooro (Mooro), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 15:05 (twenty-one years ago)

blimey, "carsmile" and "popular" in the same sentence, first time for everything etcetc

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 15:06 (twenty-one years ago)

London bootleg Orchestra in reduced strength but still FULL EFFECT.

― Pete (Pete), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 15:07 (twenty-one years ago)

6 posts up, I meant the guestlist, btw.

― Mooro (Mooro), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 15:15 (twenty-one years ago)

Right, I'm off then. This time tomorrow I'll just be getting into JFK.

― Pete (Pete), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 16:38 (twenty-one years ago)

Brian is a nice man. What's going on at Fez? I really want to work out what I want to do now but have no time since Tracer Hand eventually yapped into Wednesday (PS Glasgow loves Tracer). I'm flyin' today!

― Ally C (Ally C), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 22:42 (twenty-one years ago)

I can confirm that he is flying.

― N. (nickdastoor), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 22:46 (twenty-one years ago)

FLYIN'

― Ally C (Ally C), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 23:08 (twenty-one years ago)

Yes, flyin', sorry.

― N. (nickdastoor), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 23:12 (twenty-one years ago)

Over bed, over chair
Duck your head, clear the air!
Oh what lovely fun!
Watch out everyone!
Take a look at me and see
How easily it's done!

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 23:15 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm FLYYYYYYYYYYYYIIIIIN!!!!

― Tracer "mary martin" Hand (tracerhand), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 23:22 (twenty-one years ago)

Think lovely thoughts!

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 23:24 (twenty-one years ago)

it's bad I missed tracer. sorry tracer!

― cozen (Cozen), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 23:47 (twenty-one years ago)

LOVELIER THOUGHTS, TRACER!

― tokyo rosemary (rosemary), Wednesday, 21 April 2004 02:13 (twenty-one years ago)

flipping annoying whitney flipping flash7 only site RUBBISH

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Wednesday, 21 April 2004 18:45 (twenty-one years ago)

OK, we are in New York City. How strange. Please call us on

551 221 2354

for getting together and forms of entertainment / tours / mutual falling over.

So anyway, WHAT THE HELL IS UP WITH THIS CITY? It's like they've taken all the craziest people in the world, GIVEN THEM CARS, dumped them on an island and said "hey! make your own rules! hahahahaha!"

I like this city.

― Ally C (Ally C), Thursday, 22 April 2004 14:44 (twenty-one years ago)

Thanks Suzy for the great tip about hiring, sorry renting mobile, sorry cell phones. $30 per week, incoming calls free (phone away folks). They have crazy sms rules, though, and start charging per minute from the time you start to type the message. Thank heavens N. taught me the ways of the predictive text message.

New York is hot and also hott.

― Madchen (Madchen), Thursday, 22 April 2004 14:50 (twenty-one years ago)

Also, Expedia are bastards. We got to our hotel last night to find they had cancelled our booking in the lovely deco building within staggering distance of the reception to another hotel in a less nice building on Lexington Ave. "Sorry Ma'am, that booking has been cancelled" is the last thing you want to hear when you've had a long flight and all you want is a shower, dinner and a long sleep. Grrr.

― Madchen (Madchen), Thursday, 22 April 2004 14:52 (twenty-one years ago)

welcome, kids!

― lauren (laurenp), Thursday, 22 April 2004 14:59 (twenty-one years ago)

New York is not really hot. I don't know why Madchen keeps insisting this.

― Ally C (Ally C), Thursday, 22 April 2004 14:59 (twenty-one years ago)

You've got to learn to snap back at the NYC services or they'll walk all over you while calling you Ma'am. The correct answer is 'We didn't cancel it. Please find me the record of this so that I can confirm it with Expedia and determine the extent of the inconvenience. Ma'am.'

Oh, and the phone tip is all Felicity, lest you confuse me for an organised person.

― suzy (suzy), Thursday, 22 April 2004 15:00 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh yeah, someone phone me to explain FAP / hen night plans tonight. I have no idea what I'm doing.

― Ally C (Ally C), Thursday, 22 April 2004 15:00 (twenty-one years ago)

The doorman gave us money for the cab fare, at least.

― Ally C (Ally C), Thursday, 22 April 2004 15:01 (twenty-one years ago)

there's the mint julep fap in brooklyn. i feel weird phoning a complete stranger, though. can i text you the address/time, or is that too expensive?

― lauren (laurenp), Thursday, 22 April 2004 15:03 (twenty-one years ago)

To reinforce what suzy said, do not be british about service, kick up a fuss, the very leats they can do is give you a discount. Kick their collective arses.

― Ed (dali), Thursday, 22 April 2004 15:05 (twenty-one years ago)

Ally Summit! Ally Summit!

― Andrew Farrell (afarrell), Thursday, 22 April 2004 15:55 (twenty-one years ago)

They have crazy sms rules, though, and start charging per minute from the time you start to type the message.

This is quite possibly the most moronic thing I have ever heard in my life.

― N. (nickdastoor), Thursday, 22 April 2004 16:01 (twenty-one years ago)

well my phone doesnt work at all which is the straw that breaks idiot stevem's back really (alongside walking over williamsburg bridge last night during the great futile quest for the mint julep). so i'll check what's going on but buy a phonecard probably. my plan today is to head down to Battery Park for around 10 (i feel strangely awake), go on the Staten ferry and then when back head up to C21 (need a nice shirt if nothing else) then walk north up Broadway onto 5th Avenue eventually ending up at the Whitney for around 6pm. i expect other stuff will happen on the way. Grabbing a sandwich at that Eisenbergs place around 3 maybe. people will no be able to call me tho :(

― stevem (blueski), Friday, 23 April 2004 11:48 (twenty-one years ago)

how much is it to get a pay as you go one?

― gareth (gareth), Friday, 23 April 2004 11:51 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm going to be at the Whitney a little early (maybe 5:30) because I expect a crush of art-school students at the line wanting to get in for near-free. Maybe everybody should do the same.

Steve, Staten Island + walking from Broadway to the Whitney + Whitney Biennial + tonight's festivities is pretty ambitious.

― Michael Daddino (epicharmus), Friday, 23 April 2004 12:42 (twenty-one years ago)

The most I've ever walked in Manhattan is Penn Station to the World Trade Center, and 14th street to my home in Yorkville (UES), and I've done both routes only a couple of times.

― Michael Daddino (epicharmus), Friday, 23 April 2004 12:46 (twenty-one years ago)

In other words, you might want to think about taking a bus at a few points along the route....which is actually not a terrible way to see the city, provided that the bus is slow enough.

― Michael Daddino (epicharmus), Friday, 23 April 2004 12:49 (twenty-one years ago)

how many times will I be in new york?

― RJG (RJG), Friday, 23 April 2004 13:37 (twenty-one years ago)

Tell Tim that the 1994 World Cup winning Brazil side are set to play Exeter City.

― N. (nickdastoor), Friday, 23 April 2004 13:44 (twenty-one years ago)

are you guys having fun? it's like spring in london!

― colette (a2lette), Friday, 23 April 2004 13:45 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah, we're having so much fun in London without you. As much as you lot. Probably more.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Friday, 23 April 2004 13:46 (twenty-one years ago)

N - Tim already knows that, he told me in the pub about two weeks ago.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Friday, 23 April 2004 13:47 (twenty-one years ago)

Also tell Pete that Major Charles Ingram is dead.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Friday, 23 April 2004 13:47 (twenty-one years ago)

Ally C. are you sure that phone number is yours?

― Carey (Carey), Friday, 23 April 2004 13:49 (twenty-one years ago)

I should have known, Matt.

― N. (nickdastoor), Friday, 23 April 2004 13:50 (twenty-one years ago)

Pete should also bbe told the sad news that Dave Clark has been sacked by Deptford Water filtration plant.

― Dave B (daveb), Friday, 23 April 2004 13:56 (twenty-one years ago)

yes, f, that is ally C's number. I just called him. yeah, though, the first time I got "hello, this isn't maria's cellphone, any more" or something.

my mobile works, it seems. I don't know what you'd dial, for it, though.

+447930322037, I think.

― RJG (RJG), Friday, 23 April 2004 14:25 (twenty-one years ago)

seven years pass...

http://www.spitzerstories.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/122908_biggieking.jpg

― Lamp, Friday, 13 May 2011 16:15 (fourteen years ago)

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