The Governor's Ball

Is a three day music festival in New York City on Randall's Island. Don't worry if you've never heard of it. I hadn't either until my boyfriend told me about it last year when he was there. It has been a dream of mine for awhile to see New York City. So when he invited me to join him this year I said yes. To be honest I was more interested in seeing New York and being in the city and the atmosphere that it would bring than I was in the actual festival. By the end of the festival and upon returning home my feelings will have changed.

This was my first trip to New York and my first music festival.
I couldn't have asked for better people to spend my trip with.
We arrived in New York Wednesday evening by train. We came into the city via Penn Station.
I ready myself to walk into the city for the first time.
But I could not have prepared myself enough for the feeling I got walking through those doors of Penn Station out onto the streets of New York.
I felt swept off my feet. My heart fluttered. I was speechless.
My love and his friend watched as I looked around mesmerized.
They both wanted to see my reaction.
This is what I saw...

Even though it was about 9:30 pm the city was alive with people and noise. I couldn't believe how loud it was, no wonder it's the city that never sleeps. There are literally people out all hours of the day. It's crazy.

The United States Post Office.
The sun was still setting when we arrived but it was hidden behind a sea of tall buildings.

Joy, just pure joy.
We had to go pick up keys for the apartment where we were staying so we walked...

passed Macy's...

passed the New York Public Library.

Where we stopped for a short break.

passed Grand Central Station...

passed Rockefeller Center.

We passed Harold Square and Broadway too. We stood and watched an event that was happening in Rockefeller Center. We eventually picked up the keys and walked about an hour to our home for the next four days.

Thursday.
Was our free day before the music festival.
We each picked a place to visit.
And explored more of the city.

We walked by the Guggenheim. Which I just found out this weekend was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
Our first stop of the day was to Cooper Hewitt, which is an interactive Design Museum.

Inside the immersion room. I designed that design. It went really well with my dress, go figure... I wasn't even trying.

Out on the lawn of Cooper Hewitt. Sorry I didn't take too many pictures inside the museum I was having too much fun. *grin*  You get a pen with one end to draw and explore with and the other end to save designs and art work in the museum. Then you get released into the museum to have fun for the next hour and a half.

This was one of my choices since it was on the way to our other stops. This is one of my favorite buildings. The Flatiron Building. To my surprise not many people have heard of this popular building. It's triangle shape was designed by Chicago architect Daniel Burnham to fill/fit in the wedge-shaped space between Fifth Avenue and Broadway. It was built in 1902 and is still one of New York's most dramatic buildings. If your one of those people who have never heard of it now you know a little of its history. I suggest checking it out if you ever find yourself in the city.

The New York Gang. Seth, JW and myself.

Hello Empire State Building. You are really tall.

My other choice was the New York Public Library. I have a thing for books so of course I wanted to see this library.

We saw the outside of the building the night before but seeing it in the day light is much better. The entire building is made out of marble.

All marble.

We sat down for a break outside the library and realized it was lunch time for New Yorkers. There were people all over the steps and in this little park area eating lunch. We then decided it was time for us to grab some lunch before moving on to our next stop...

Which was in Times Square.

Discovery Star Wars Museum.

Next it was on to Central Park.

Hello Alice.

My love just hanging with Alice. No big deal.

Model Boat Reflection Pond.

Friday - Saturday
GovBall Days

This is the very first band I saw at GovBall. They sound similar to Lana Del Ray.

Loved them.

This is Beck. He also rocked it. He did a tribute song to Prince (Raspberry Beret) since Prince presented him an award. He was so happy he gave Prince a hug. And found out Prince was the coolest dude ever.

RIP Prince and David Bowie.

Balls were flying everywhere at the MisterWives set.

We saw many more bands but I kept my phone away for most of them because I was a minnow in a sea of taller fish.
Sunday got cancelled due to severe rain.
Instead we went to The Met.

Looking down Museum Mile from the Met steps. Of course I had to stop and sit on the steps of the Met like in Gossip Girl.

 Louis Comfort Tiffany. This is just some of his glass work. There is a museum in Winter Park, Florida that has many more of his works. Winter Park is where he and his family liked to spend their summers. But the Met had a few of them on display in their American art wing.

Monet

Van Gogh 

Seurat

I believe this is a Van Gogh but I could be wrong. Please correct me if I am.

Monet

Egyptian

 After the Met we went back to the apartment to figure out what we wanted to do for dinner.

JW and I ended up going to the most beautiful restaurant with umbrellas hanging from the ceiling, Tiffany glass lamps and decor to die for. Finestra is the name. Seth ended up staying at the apartment while JW and I had a wonderful meal together. It was nice to have time with just him on our busy trip, outside of being surrounded by teens and young 20 year olds. He picked out the place and it was like he reached deep into my soul and found a restaurant that spoke to my inner being. 

Monday.

Brooklyn. Juliana's, Picture stop, and Junior's.

Juliana's. The best pizza around. Go google the history of Juliana's Pizza and then go to Brooklyn and get your own pizza. It's totally worth it!! Ask any Brooklyner or New Yorker.

New York Skyline and Brooklyn Bridge from Brooklyn. If you look close enough off on the left side of the photo is the Statue of Liberty.

Best cheesecake around. And is now a new GovBall tradition. Yay for Junior's and their delicious red velvet cheesecake.

After Brooklyn we headed back into the city. And then it was time to head back home. A sad time for all parties on this trip. I can't deny I cried a little. Okay a lot. More on our return home and return to normal life...

xo

*Shine like Glitter*
I long for New York.
Ever since returning from the city whenever I am reminded of New York my heart aches for its beauty, its architecture, its wonderfully nice people.
All that said I couldn't have asked for a better person to share in my first time to the city.
He was knowledgeable of the city and made sure to point out all of the things that I would enjoy. He knows me better than any other person so of course I enjoyed every minute of my time with New York.
Upon my return home from New York I wrote her a letter.
Yes her. She is a living breathing organism with so much to offer.
This is my letter to her.
New York you are missed. I miss your energy and atmosphere. I miss your beautiful buildings and your wonderfully nice people. Until we meet again my friend.
With love.
Namaste.