"“One belongs to New York instantly, one belongs to it as much in five minutes as in five years”

Thomas Wolfe was the originator of the title quote and I think he summed up my experiences (twice now) in New York City
I could write one hundred posts about what's great about New York and have been delaying writing this post by  figuring out the best and clearest way to do it. You've seen the photo montage on this blog, you might have even seen the check-list show http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uASd2hni2BA.  But instead of a long boring post which has been done to death about this Mecca of culture, I thought I would round things off with twenty things I learnt from and about New York. Lets keep it brief shall we?

1. New Yorkers love to talk and are willing and able to share their knowledge of the city.
2. Bagels are bigger and better here than anywhere, don't even question it.
3. Coffee is a weapon, equip in your favoured hand and march down the street like you own it.
4. Do neck muscle exercises before heading out as you will spend most of the day looking up at the amazing architecture and hypnotizing adverts. 
5. Sooner or later you will run into a film or TV crew preparing (not shooting!) something. This is always cool
6. Duane reade's are everywhere! but god bless em' they are great if you fancy late night deli sandwiches, alcohol, medicine, chocolate, magazines, pretty much everything.
7. On any given day your more than likely to see something go down whether it be a parade or street dancing or in our case a man we cats, dogs and gerbils on the street for people to pose with.
8. On that note due to the cultural diversity of the city, seemingly every day is a holiday or celebration for one religion or race.
9. If your there when Bin laden got killed expect a party on the streets and a CRAZY scene the next day.
10. I know its applicable to all the US but watching the NBA play-offs in a New York bar is just cool. Mostly because of the bar staff but New York loves its basketball and the knicks are making a come back. GO KNICKS!
11. If your there on or around a certain royal wedding and are from the U.K expect a tidal wave of questions to soak you. " Why are you not at home watching it?" " I thought it was a big deal?"
12. Go to the Lincoln centre for a slice of culture then take home the slice to eat later because its huge.
13. BRING ID!...lets hope your old enough to drink in the fantastic bars and can prove it as they will ID the majority, but if your eating food they don't seem to care.
14. Drinks seem expensive ($8 beers!) but then you realise you are in a major city and that they don't mess about with alcohol volume. 
15. On that note, asking for a double of a spirit is liking asking for four u.k measurements, again seems expensive till your begging someone else to drink it because its far too strong.
16. GO TO DAVE'S BBQ AND GRILL (times square behind the red steps upper  and west-ish). This place will not let you down and it took us two attempts to eat the meal we were served. Oh but try the happy hour $3 margaritas if you want to spend an hour or more trying to conquer a drink
17. The shake shack has (almost) justified queues. Sometimes more than forty people deep! 
18. Be prepared for a "thank you and your welcome" battle.
19. Just go hang out in central park for a while and I defy to be happy. Marvel at the never ending parade of joggers and feel good eating your huge sandwich while watching them.
20. New York has an energy about it that I have not experienced in any other US city. I love it. 

Oh and although you will get sick of being pitched comedy clubs go check out a late night show, you will feel mocked but you wont care when its that funny. Guess that's 21.