How it all began....

Firstly, let me start this blog by saying that I have always secretly despised people who write blogs. Since its inception, the art of blogging has been an anomaly to me and I have always wondered what matter of arrogance or sheer stupidity possesses those who decide to publicly splurge the contents of their lives on the WORLD WIDE WEB. And now... oh dear... despite my prejudices and increasing sense of self-loathing, I am tackling the keyboard and prostituting my life to anyone with Internet access who can read.

The reason for my sudden pro-blog status is a 7 week trip to the Big Apple, sans employment and a subsequent surplus amount of time on my hands with nothing to do.

Now, you must know that I am not not well practiced in the art of being "a kept woman". Unfortunately, I currently cannot justify long hours in bed (without an impending sense of guilt), while my other half slaves to right the wrongs of the Credit Crunch and pay the bills. So, albeit that I am not officially working, my work here is of a different nature and aside from picking up dirty underwear off the floor and washing dishing, I will be working hard on seeing as much as NY has to offer!! And I will endeavour to share the fruits of my labour with you on this blog, right from the "Epicentre of the Free world"

"Free World" , my ass. For migrants like me travelling on a south african passport (a.k.a the Green Mamba), the USA is not an easy place to access. Getting a visa is a pretty terrifying process. there are very strict instructions on what to bring: passport, pictures, paperwork and even stricter instructions on what not to bring: mobile phones, magnetic devices, muslims. it is worth bringing a book to read (so long as it is not anti-Semitic in nature) as it is a long and arduous morning at Grosvenor House. Luckily, mine turned out to be a successful one and I was given 10 years ( sounds rather reminiscent of a jail sentence). Being given 10 years in the old GM was a particularly happy moment in my life as Steve and I, had no plan B had I been denied a visa and that would have entailed many weeks of moping and moaning.

When travelling on the mamba, one is quite used to "Customs and Immigration" being a rather demoralizing affair. Having a customs official stare at me as though I am a scum of the earth, amnesty seeking, blood sucking parasitic tick is all but new to me- however the amount of sheer disgust oozing from every pore of the US customs official who fingerprinted me, elevated 3rd- world- tourist- antagonism to a whole new level. One bad look and I was going straight to hell with Osama. After much interrogation (though luckily avoiding an anal probe) I was allowed through the Golden gates.

It was only 30 minutes later, once i was being driven over Brooklyn Bridge by the world's friendliest cab driver, staring at the skyline of the world's most famous city on a most perfect late summer's day, did I fully understand just why the Americanos are so protective of their homeland. At first glance NY was every bit as impressive as I had imagined. It all felt like something out of a movie set and I could feel myself getting well and truly sucked into the American Dream......