Meeting up with my "CF Twin" Anna in New York, and The Cloisters

As fate would have it, while we were in NYC, my transplant friend Anna was also passing through, on her way back from the American Transplant Games... (she lives in Australia now). I got to see her and catch up a bit for an evening. Definitely not enough time to catch up AT ALL but better than nothing... We had supper in Times Square, they went off to watch a show, and then we met up again for drinks.

Earlier that day, we went to The Cloisters with James and a friend of his.What a totally different experience! It really felt like we were in Europe. It was EXTREMELY hot on that day, as you can see from my picture taken with James! My favourite artworks on display here was the Unicorn Tapestries. So beautiful, albeit violent!!!

The Met Cloisters, located on four acres overlooking the Hudson River in northern Manhattan's Fort Tryon Park, is the branch of the Museum dedicated to the art, architecture, and gardens of medieval Europe. Deriving its name from the medieval cloisters that form the core of the building, it presents a harmonious and evocative setting for more than 2,000 exceptional artworks and architectural elements from the medieval West.

Meeting FB friends in real life, The Intrepid Air and Space Museum and The Highline

Some of the best times we had in New York was meeting up with friends. From meeting Facebook friends in real life to hanging out with a childhood friend who now lives in the UK, and happened to be in NY at the same time as us!

So I met one of my CF/transplant Facebook friends who lives in New York, Alison! She has had her transplant 14 years ago! Chris and I had a wonderful brunch with her at Columbus Circle. It's amazing how having been through similar experiences can instantly connect people!

Another Facebook friend we met is Kathleen, a pianist who has been involved in the performance of Brian's "Breathe" composition. What a lovely lady! Also on the below pic is Brian! If you want to listen to his piece that he wrote featuring moi, click here.

We got to spend some time with James as well... he is the friend since forever who happened to be in NYC at the same time as us! Some great unexpected catching up!

On Sunday the 5th of Aug, we went to the Intrepid Air and Space Museum. It was pretty cool! And EXTREMELY warm... The whole museum is based on/around an old US Aircraft Carrier built during WW2. It was all pretty interesting, especially going on board the USS Growler, a submarine that in on display at the museum as well. I would NEVER have coped being underwater in a submarine!!! Quite a claustrophobic feeling!

On the Monday morning we did a walking tour of the Highline and Chelsea Market. This was also one of the best tours we did... I can definitely say that our walking tours (Central Park and this one), were the best tours we did. The Chelsea food market was AAMMMAAZING!!! Had freaking yummy doughnuts there and later for lunch, burgers. The Highline was also fantastic. Super inspiring to see what was done with an eyesore. The whole area really gives me hope for some parts of the inner city here in Joburg. Maybe one day we'll have a similarly awesome redeveloped area in what used to be a horrible district.

Statue of Liberty Sunset Cruise

We took the Statue of Liberty Sunset Cruise from the Downtown Circle Line departure point. It was beautiful! The wind on the boat was so nice and warm, and there were so many other boats out on the water. Devoting an entire post to all the pics!