When dream comes true (USA trip)

november 9, 2018 3 min read travelling

Panoramic view of the crowded, billboard-filled Times Square in New York City with yellow taxis in the foreground

Yes I did it, I can’t believe I’m really here! 😍 (After taking part-time job for last two years in addition to high school I finally earned enough money to begin my two weeks United States trip).

These were the first words I had in my mind when we disembarked at New York’s JFK airport. “Dad, we’re really here.” — I simply couldn’t believe it was happening. In less than half hour later, we had been already almost misled by some local “Uber” driver who offered us unbeatable price $100. “No way!” — I said and got out of his car. After an hour of discovering New York public transport in the middle of night we finally got to our Airbnb apartment.

The next day was amazing. I was speechless as soon as I left the apartment. Everything seemed to be so “different”, exactly as I knew it only from movies. I was taking photos of literally everything I saw.

A typical New York city street scene with a yellow school bus parked on the road and buildings covered in graffiti

Commuters wait on the platform at a New York City subway station at night

The first stop after buying the best muffin I’ve ever eaten was Central Park. It took us more than hour to walk around entire lake.

A paved path along the iron fence of a large lake in Central Park with a view of the distant New York City skyline

Scenic view of the Central Park lake in New York City with the skyline reflecting in the water behind a black fence

Later then, after long hesitations between One World Observatory and Top of The Rock we decided to check out the first one. The adventure began already in elevator where was shown short movie about history of America from first settlers till present. The view from the top was spectacular so it was definitely worth to wait in line for more than hour to get our tickets.

Spectacular aerial view of the New York City skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge from the One World Observatory

I enjoyed every minute of walking in streets of this hectic city exploring buildings, skyscrapers, people and city life in general. Diversity of all the people living here, constantly beeping car horns, congested streets, busy traffic, … All of this was creating a unique atmosphere and that’s the reason why I immediately fell in love with this city.

A yellow taxi cab pulls over on a busy New York City street with skyscrapers and pedestrians in the background

Tall digital billboards and crowds of people on a busy street in Times Square New York City

Yellow taxi driving through the busy streets of Times Square surrounded by tall buildings and large digital billboards

Busy New York City street intersection with skyscrapers towering over lush trees and pedestrians walking in the crosswalk

The Flatiron building was the next stop in my “what to see in New York” list.

The iconic triangular Flatiron Building surrounded by other skyscrapers in New York City under a cloudy sky

I wanted to have this typical New York photo that everyone has on their Instagrams too, so the next day we took subway to Brooklyn.

A person standing on a cobblestone street in Brooklyn with the Manhattan Bridge framed by brick buildings behind

A selfie with the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan skyline in the background

View of the Brooklyn Bridge with the Manhattan skyline and One World Trade Center in the background

Iconic view of the Manhattan skyline from the Brooklyn Bridge featuring FDR Drive, a baseball field, and skyscrapers

When I saw this “steam chimney” I was reeeeeally happy. It remained me all these typical “new yorkish” scenes in movies so I had to take a photo immediately 😄

Steam rising from a construction chimney in a narrow New York City street with people walking on the sidewalk

On our last day in New York we took boat trip on Liberty Island. It was great, definitely recommend!

The Statue of Liberty standing on its pedestal against a cloudy sky as seen from a boat trip around Liberty Island

A person sitting on a stone wall overlooking the Manhattan skyline across the water

Time flies so quickly and after four days in this amazing city we had to say good bye. Never mind, definitely will come back one day!

Hello Canada!

A line of Canadian flags waving against a blue sky above the powerful cascading waters of Niagara Falls

After four days spent in NYC we moved to our next destination — Toronto. But yet before visiting the city we spend one day in Niagara Falls.

A tour boat navigating the turbulent waters below the powerful Niagara Falls with a visible rainbow in the mist

Panoramic view of the powerful rushing water of Niagara Falls under a cloudy sky

A bird flies over the powerful cascading water of Niagara Falls under a bright blue sky

Two people standing together in front of a stone railing overlooking Niagara Falls

The next day we explored Toronto downtown. Personally I had feeling like the entire city was built maximally ten years ago. It felt so modern and “stylish”. I don’t know, maybe I had that feeling only because I spent only one day there and didn’t have a time for discover the city in detail.

A person posing inside the letter O of the large 3D Toronto sign at Nathan Phillips Square with city buildings behind

Although we had only one day for the city we tried to see as much as possible and don’t skip any well-known popular landmarks and buildings.

A low-angle view of the historic Gooderham Building and modern skyscrapers under a clear blue sky in downtown Toronto

The iconic CN Tower stands tall against a clear blue sky above the busy streets of downtown Toronto

Modern architectural design of the Royal Ontario Museum featuring angular metal and glass panels against a clear blue sky

After visiting One World Observatory in New York, CN tower was an obvious stop to keep the tradition (lol :D).

A low-angle view of the iconic CN Tower reaching into a clear bright blue sky

High-angle aerial view of the Toronto city skyline featuring tall skyscrapers and a network of railway tracks below

After observing eye-catching view of the city we also visited Ripley’s aquarium. I was impressed by glamor of wonderful jellyfish and a lots of other strange animals.

Sharks and other fish swimming in a large aquarium tank at Ripleys Aquarium

Glowing pink jellyfish floating in a deep blue aquarium tank at Ripleys Aquarium

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for second part about my dreamed California 😉