The real NYC:)

I was pleasantly surprised to find colourful tulips along sidewalks/buildings in New York:)

I had always thought that the 'real' NYC is dusty, polluted... graffiti on walls, just like how it's portrayed in Flight of the Conchords- a popular comedy series in New Zealand


(Below: Flight of the Conchords cast)

(Image source: http://whatsontv.co.uk/blogs/tvspy/files/2008/12/flight460.jpg)
In Flight of the Conchords, the musicians depict the hardship of the artist community - NYC is fun if you have money & a job, but it can be depressing living in this big city if you're an unknown musician and you don't get any gigs. There are too many talented musicians/artistes!
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Another thing that is distinct to NY is the ubiquitous breakfast carts where you can get fresh muffins, bagels, donuts & other types of pastries:)

'American breakfast' = home fries, omelette with Swiss cheese or Americn cheese, & toasted bread

The portion's unbelievably huge

There are many things that's nice about NY...but I remember that I was quite shocked to find that there are no washing machines in apartments here.

No washing machines, no clothes dryer

But the laundry services here is far more affordable compared to most other cities :)

It's quite easy to find $1 per pound laundry services

...and they wrap your clothes nicely into a litlle parcel

Neatly folded too :)