My #SUSI Second Week: Part III

 The week ended with a free weekend, so we decided to explore NYC and to visit the Greek community in Astoria, seeking desperately for a freddo cappuccino. Friday was cocktails and Saturday was brunch and shopping, as true Manhattan girls. Saturday was back to the roots!

That Friday, me, Dina, Dominika and Natalia walked the famous High Line for the first time, a 2.33 km long linear park built on an elevated section of a disused New York Central Railroad, called the West Side Line.  High Line park is an excellent example not only of urban design, but also of place branding. The area (Chelsea) was totally revitalised with many shops, bars, restaurants, cultural organisations etc to have moved there creating a whole new atmosphere. The park is a real beauty with great views of the city and the Hudson River and it's a must if you are visiting. After our walk we had some drinks on a nice rooftop just underneath the famous Standard Hotel.

The next morning the scenery was kind of Gorillas in the Mist, but this tiny detail made our NYC exploration more atmospheric.

After a rich brunch we decided to do what New Yorkers do: shopping! This is a tough sport in Manhattan especially during mid-season sales. So, if you think it was easy, trust me... it wasn't. But we had so much fun and for sure we got some nice pieces for our wardrobes. Isn't that dress a cutie, or what?

Sunday was Astoria day. We took the subway and visited one of the most famous neighbourhoods in NY. A good beginning makes for sure a good ending and that Sunday begun with a delicious coffee at Avenue Cafe! Look how happy I am! And look how delicious the coffee is!

When I was planning my trip to NY, I tried to make a list with the things and places I wanted to do and visit. The Museum of Moving Image in Astoria was in that list, so after our coffee we headed there. The Museum is located next to Kauffman Studios, home of many famous movies.

If you ever visit New York please, please, please don't miss that Museum. The architecture is beautiful, a minimal, clean line building, resembling something both Scandinavian and Japanese. And the exhibitions mind blowing. By the time we visited, the Museum hosted an exhibition about storytelling in the digital era and an exhibition, wait for it....... about Mad Men.

In addition the ongoing exhibition, Behind the Screen, is a piece of art, as it guides you step by step to the whole process of producing, promoting and presenting films, television shows and digital entertainment, through interesting and rare artifacts. Just, a sneak peek...

Full of cultural experiences we were thirsty for food and lemonade. And we found the perfect spot: Monikas Cafe Bar. Manolis served us the best lemonade ever!

Before saying goodbye to Astoria we visited Astoria Park and waved hello to Manhattan. 

I've mentioned before how much I enjoyed the use of public spaces in the US and how communities act creatively in producing several projects. This particular captured my mind. Isn't it an exciting idea?

Heading back to the subway, we couldn't resist having another coffee and tasting the epitome of the Greek-American fusion: baklavas cheesecake at Omonia Cafe. This is certainly my new favorite dessert.

Free weekend was over and we were ready for the week number three! Stay tuned!