Starbucks Coffee: take a break in the City

If you are tired of walking around the city and need a break, don’t worry, there is a Starbucks in every corner. This is the perfect place to recover your breath, have a snack and some tea or coffee with nice pastries. I have to say that I dont like amercian coffe, however the US Starbucks caramel macchiato is addictive. It is a bomb of calories but I love it. Another good thing is that you can pay by credit card regardless the amount.

Oh! don't forget to use the bathroom before you continue your trip. In some stores you may need to ask for the key.

See Starbucks website>>

Times Square

Who does not know about Times Square? This midtown’s iconic spot is at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue and stretches from West 42nd to West 47th Streets.

If you go at night you can enjoy the square at its fullest surrounded by a huge number of animated neon and LED signs that make Times Square a landmark and obligatory stop.

This square is followed by the theaters of Broadway, what is also known as the Theater District. There is a TKTS booth (in the intersection of Broadway & 7th Ave at 47th Street) that offers discounted tickets to same-day performances for Broadway, Off-Broadway, dance and music events.

Maybe you are lucky and get to see the naked cowboy!

Google Maps

Bryant Park

Former Reservoir Square, Bryant Park was renamed in 1884 to honour the recently deceased poet, editor and civic reformer William Cullen Bryant. The park is the seat for different cultural activities during the entire year. From the Fashion Show in the winter to the summer Film Festival, this park is a clear example of what New York can offer as a point of reference of culture, art, diversity and entertainment. See Bryant Park events calendar here>>

The park ends at the back of the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, the main branch of the New York Public Library, built in the 90s. You can’t miss the 3rd floor of this magnificent Beaux-Arts landmark building.

Have fun and let me know!

Caracas: the Flavour of Venezuela in New York

Another hot spot to eat good food is Caracas, an authentic Venezuelan restaurant that serves homemade arepas, empanadas, salads and typical Venezuelan dishes in both Manhattan and Brooklyn (Williamsburg) .

Great food and good shakes at very reasonable prices!

El Almacén: the Pampa of New York

This cosy little restaurant in the vivid Williamsburg area serves amazing argentine food and the best sangria I have ever tried in my life. I recommend that you order a grilled churrasco. You will never forget it. You can't miss this!

See people reviews at:

Yielp         New York Magazine

How to get there:

Google Maps>>   

Design your route>>

¡Buen provecho!

Café Wha?

This emblematic bar started its activity back in the 1950s. Since then it has been the cradle for starting artists that became prodigies like Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix. Today, Café Wha is a meeting point for live music and party lovers. Its 3 house bands make everynight a party. It is kind of touristic but it is a lot of fun. Be early if you want to have a sit and eat something because it gets packed!

See what people think at Yielp

Google Maps

See Café Wha website here>>

Cuba: The Best Mojito in the City!

This charming restaurant in the Greenwich Village offers an extraordinary selection of Cuban, Latin and Spanish dishes. Food is really good but their Mojitos are just awesome! I confess myself as a Mojito lover and I can guarantee that you will not be deceived at all. If you are a cigar aficionado or just want to see how a cigar is hand rolled Cuba is your place.

If you like Latin rhythms you will have the chance to enjoy your dinner while feeling the salsa beat. And if you get in the mood then you can head to Son Cubano in my beloved Meatpaking District to continue the party.

¡Wepa, qué siga la fiesta!

How to get there: Google Maps

See Cuba Restaurant Website>>

The High Line: A unique spot in New York City

Speaking of the Meatpacking district, there is another spot that is kind of unique: The High Line. Built in the 30s to remove dangerous trains from the streets of Manhattan, this 30feet lifted infrastructure has no activity since 1980. Then, it was in the late 90s when a community under the name of Friends of the High Line was formed to stop its demolition. Nowadays, what it was a bunch of iron, has turned into an elevated public park and a perfect place to chill-out in the hectic Manhattans Lower West Side. The park opens from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily and it runs from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to 34th Street, between 10th & 11th Avenues.

More info at the High Line Official Website here>>

Meatpacking District Nightlife

If you want to have fun in NYC the options are endless. But there is a place that you can’t miss: The Meatpacking District. It is a little but concentrated area in the lower west side of Manhattan full of bars, nightclubs and restaurants.

If you like Asian style food you can start at Spice Market Food is just AMAZING!

There is another characteristic restaurant called Pastis, a french bistro that is a perfect place for group dinners.

After your dinner you can start at the rooftop of the Gansevoort Hotel. There you can get a table to have a drink and help your digestion. Yes, this sounds familiar, this is the place where the girls of Sex & the City used to meet.

Now, are you ready to party? Well, there is many bars in the area but I would recommend that you visit Revel. Nice crowd, no unpleasant gorillas at the door and the mojitos are soooo good!

Have fun!

Click here to see a list of bars in Meatpacking

Mojitos Effect in Meatpaking!

The Market NYC

One of my favorite shopping practices is to get lost in the lower East Side and Soho streets and use my best bargain skills. You can find really good deals and have a lot of fun if you like bargaining. One of my favorite spots is The Market NYC, a young designers market, open on Saturdays and Sundays, at 268 Mulberry street (between Houston & Prince). Google Maps

You can find local design clothing, shoes, bags and handmade accessories. If you are looking for something unique and cool or an authentic NYC style souvenir this is your place!

See what people think of The Market NYC:

Yielp           Trip Advisor         

Many thanks for your purchase; you have saved $110 dollars today!

One of the main NYC attractions is clothing shopping. From luxury-brand stores in 5th and Madison Avenues to local designer boutiques in Williamsburg (Brooklyn), New York has so much to offer for those willing to renovate their closet.

A common practice among tourists is to display a compulsive buying behavior in NYC outlets. Here you are a couple of the most common places visited by tourists:

- Century 21 Department Store in 22 Cortlandt Street (between Church and Broadway).

- Woodbury Common Premium Outlets (Over one hour bus ride) Daily buses to Woodbury Common from Port Authority, New York City (42nd Street & Eighth Avenue).

One thing to bear in mind is taxes. As of August 1, 2009, New York City Sales tax increased to 8.875%. Clothing under $110 will remain tax free. Clothing above $110 will be taxed. Some big stores like Macys have some tax benefits for tourists offering up to a 15% reduction of the total price.

Something that I found really funny is that when you pay your bill the store assistant will give you a big smile along with your receipt while saying: here is the amount that you have saved today! I guess this helps some people to feel better.

Other links to find stores of your interest are:

Time Out                 New York Magazine


Enjoy your shopping!

Get on, get off and get around!

The best way to move around the city is by using the NYC Subway also called MTA or Metropolitan Transport Authority but if you are not familiar with subway systems and/or you do not speak the language then I would recommend that you use yellow cabs or touristic buses to go to the main attractions if you are tourist.

There are many different touristic buses services and you will run into a bunch of them on the street. Here is an example of a popular one. Chick here>> If you are a family or a group, you will probably be able to negotiate a better rate.

If you wish to use the subway and or bus service here there are some tips you may consider:

1.- As a general rule try your best to avoid peak hours! (from 7 to 9 A.M. and from 4 to 6 P.M).

2.- Check your subway/walking/bus route before your departure>>

3.- Get a subway and/or bus map. You can also check the NYC Subway map online>>  and the NYC Bus map online>>

4.- Get a Pay-Per-Ride MetroCard . The fare for a subway or local bus ride is $2.25. With this card you get an automatic free transfer between subway and bus, or between buses. You can buy as many rides as you want from $4.50 to $80. If you put $8 or more on your card you will receive a 15 percent bonus. For example, a $20 purchase gives you $23 on your card. 10 trips for the price of 9, with $.50 balance. You can buy and refill your card to use the balance in the machines available in every station by cash or credit card.

Have a good trip!

Where is that smell of vinegar coming from?

Spain has a great cuisine and a deep gastronomic culture. Any celebration, big, small, religious or not is related to some kind of food. If the celebration takes place during the weekends or holidays we can eat for hours like there is no tomorrow. Certainly, if there is something characteristic of the Spanish culture is that we take our time to eat and drink and we always do it around a table. But there is something that we don’t do: EATING ON THE GO!

However New Yorkers have developed a unique eating skill: they can eat everywhere. They eat on the subway, on the street, in the car; they eat while walking, speaking on the phone…. Yes, New York is the Kingdom of Fast Food! But I must confess I LOVE IT ALL! I love burritos, chicken brochettes, hot dogs, pizza, pretzels, kebabs and so on. But there is something that you can't miss: A REAL HAMBURGER!

There is plenty of places where you can find good hamburgers, but I will list my favourite places:

Corner Bistro     Big Daddy’s     Shake Shack                 

Better Burger     Rare Bar & Grill                                                           

My first cheeseburger in NYC.

           OMG this is not a hamburger this is The Hamburger!

Rudeness: The Misunderstood Behaviour

New Yorkers are considered to be rude, but this is a misunderstood behaviour. They are just ALWAYS in a hurry. The truth is that they are very nice AS LONG AS you don’t get in their way. However, if you make them waste 2 seconds of their precious time, then you must be ready to hear an EXCUUUUSEME!!! in the best case. So here is an example of things you will not do:

- Stop in the middle of the street and display your 2 meter city map. Find a corner or a place where you can take your time to check your route. It is possible that someone approaches you offering help.

- Stop someone walking down the street and ask for directions. Find a police officer or buy something in a kiosk and ask for directions. In the last case, wait until someone is waiting to cross the street when the light is red.

- Be hesitant when you get to the front of any line (e.g. subway, shows or touristic attractions tickets offices, fast-food places) Decide what you want before you get in the line.

- Stop at the subway exits or walk slowly and with no direction. If you don’t know your way, get aside! Especially during peak hours (from 7 to 9 A.M. and from 4 to 6 P.M).

Before you start your journey make sure that you know how to get to your destination. Click here to find subway, bus and walking routes>>

If you get really desperate you can always take a yellow cab.

Airport Taxis, Tips and Rip-offs

The easiest way to get into the city from NYC's three airports (JFK, La Guardia and Newark) is to take a taxi as soon as you leave the baggage claim areas. You will probably have to make a line. Once you are in the line tell the attendant where you're going when he asks (he or she will most likely be in a bad mood so don’t take it personal and smile), and the attendant will take you to your cab. There is a flat fee of $45 to Manhattan from JFK; about $16-$26 plus a $3 bridge toll from La Guardia; and $30-$38 plus a $10 dollar bridge toll from Newark. For information on taxi tips, shuttle buses, subway, and other transportation options click on the Airport where you are landing at:

Laguardia -- JFK -- Newark

Only use registered taxis and if someone approaches you offering their taxi service politely refuse. It is possible they may be illegal taxis, but even if you're in a hurry or they offer a cheaper price, do not accept a ride from a gypsy cab. Be safe and don’t take needless risks. As a general rule only get into YELLOW TAXI cabs that have a numbered, plastic medallion riveted to the hood. Don’t forget to ask for a receipt, you'll need the cab's medallion number (on your receipt) if you need to file a complaint or to report lost property. You can do both online at the TLC (Taxi & Limousine Commission) website:

How to submit a Lost Property Inquiry -- Submit Form here

How to Submit a Consumer Complaint

-- Submit Form here

Don’t forget to check the tipping policy at he links provided above!

I know you may not be used to it but tipping is morally mandatory in NYC, unless the service was extremely poor.

Freeze or Melt!

NYC is a great destination regardless of the season, but there are better times.

Summer (July-August- early September) tends to be very hot and humid. So if you come from a city like mine Zaragoza where the climate is primarily dry you may feel exhausted for the first couple of days. Try to drink lots of water, take some tissues with you and if you are a woman get an extra t-shirt if you don’t want to be arrested by the NY Police Department for offering a public wet t-shirt contest on the streets. A cap and some SF20 suntan lotion will help too. Long lines in touristic attractions under the sun are guaranteed during this season. Oh! Bring a jacket and a summer scarf, A/C levels are INSANE!

Winter (late December-January-February) is normally cold and damp. You should expect temperatures of 10–20 °F (-12.2–-6.7 °C) especially during cold nights. New York winters sometimes feature snowstorms that can paralyze the city with over a foot of snow. The humidity penetrates into your body and reaches your bones. I will tell you the secret to survive: LAYERS and a WINTER HAT! Don’t forget your scarf and a pair of gloves too. You may need a bag to put all your personal winter accessories once you enter a building, as the AC in the summer, the heating is also INSANE!

By far, the city is at its best in late September-October-early November and April-May. Enjoy it!

Find out more about NYC Climate here>>

See detailed 7-day Forecast here>>

Excuse me Sir; I am being deported back because I did not fill out WHAT?

If you are planning your trip to NY it is very likely that you have a list of places where you want to go: that restaurant that your co-worker recommended, some museums, a couple of Broadway shows that your friend suggested, you probably even bought a city guide and a map… but, do you have all you need to just enter the country?

Even if you don’t need a visa because your country is under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) you are subject to apply for an authorization called ESTA (3 days minimum before your trip) using the following process: Click here to start ESTA application form >>

In addition to this, you must present a machine-readable passport which is valid for 6 months past the expected stay in the US.

Print out a couple of copies of your approved ESTA confirmation and carry them with you when you travel. And remember this: the ESTA approval is a “conditio sine qua non” although this approval just means that you are eligible to enter the US. But there is still one more step to go: IMMIGRATION!! OK, relax.

You might have heard many stories about the NY immigration officials but old times are gone. If you are a visitor you should not have any problem. Most of them are distant but friendly. You will be asked standard questions mostly. Be ready to give the reason of your trip, the address where you will stay while in NY, your profession and where you live in your home country. As long as you can verify that you have the intention to come back to your country of origin you are all set. Important notice: don’t make jokes or try to be funny, just stay calm and behave naturally. Although they can be friendly you are being interviewed and evaluated. If you cannot communicate in English, a number of officials speak Spanish and other languages. They also provide interpreters of different languages if needed. Wait a minute! If you cannot communicate in English you would not be reading this lines, so forget about the language thing.

When you pass immigration you are almost done. You just need to submit the Customs declaration form to the customs officials once you have picked up your luggage and are on your way out. However, you could be asked for a last luggage check so make sure that you don’t bring an amount of money that exceeds $10,000! And if you carry a laptop with you then you should bear in mind that immigration and customs don’t understand about privacy. I am just saying.

Oh! I almost forgot; bring a pen with you during your flight. You will need to fill out a green hard copy version of the ESTA along with the Customs form. You don’t want to make a huge line to be returned back to the start because you did not have your green form ready, right? and don’t make scratches!

Who said New York City is the world’s greatest city in the world?

New York is the most populous city in the US with over 8.3 million people, and is one of the most populous urban areas in the world. Alongside with Tokio and London, NYC is considered an alpha city with a powerful influence over global economy, media, art, fashion, culture, education & research, and entertainment. There is around 170 different languages spoken in the city and 36 percent of it's population was born outside the United States.

But when you first come to NYC it is not its diversity and energy what calls your attention. New York City can be intimidating! It's chaotic, loud, messy, and crowded. Especially if you land in Canal St in China Town, as I did my first time, from a smelly and sticky but pretty cheap and convenient Fung Wa Bus from Boston. My first thought was: Who said this city is the world’s greatest city in the world? But don’t panic… it is! The purpose of this blog is to serve as a guide to not only survive but also have fun in what it is with no doubt one of the best destinations in the world.