I am Wyatt Wang.Com

When the train started leaving the airport station, I thought I saw tears in Sally's eyes as I waved her good bye. She was sending me off as I embarked on my 1-month journey to Argentina. I felt strange afterwards. Maybe I had grown to embrace loneliness more than I ever need. From then onwards, I was alone (more mentally than physically) for the coming month while I was on the road. Before I knew it, my stint was completed in India and I took a short break in Delhi/Varanasi/Agra before coming back to Sillypore. Prior to my homecoming, my boss (whom I almost treat her like my mother) had kindly approved my 1-month leave request for spending all those lonely weekends toiling in Bangalore. If you had followed my blogs like you were a hardcore stalker, you would have known that Argentina was on the cards (probably since Dec 07). I reported back to office and started planning my trip; while helping out in other projects with secretariat duties. My mind was not really at it - half of time I rather wish that I was reading my Lonely Planet guidebook. As there were no direct flights linking South America to Singapore, I would have to do a transit somewhere. If a line was drawn between Sillypore and Buenos Aires (capital of Argentina), the quickest way to get there was to go via South Africa. However, in order to utilize my free air ticket (which is part of my privileges as a staff to a major airline) to the maximum, USA would be the next most logical point of entry. After taking into consideration of cost and schedule of connecting flights, New York was decided as my transit point and hence gave birth to this blog. After a 22-hour flight (this include a 2-hour break in Frankfurt) across Asia, Europe and the Atlantic Ocean, I touched down to JFK International Airport and got straight into the immigration queue. The stern (and professional) immigration officer took 4 electronic prints of my fingers and a portrait of my sleep deprived face. Perhaps USA is paranoid; maybe the world is paranoid. Or it may just be me.

		Took the Airtrain (USD$5) from JFK Terminal 4 and found myself at Howard Beach JFK "Subway" train station. I was on my way to downtown Manhattan.
		Dinner was Teochew Pork Kway Teow (or rice noodles) Soup at Bo Kye Restaurant, Chinatown (US$4.88 or S$6.83). I was probably feeling crazy and walked an hour in the drizzle from West 20 Street to Canal Street. Spoke to the boss and understood that they were Chinese Vietnamese and came to New York before the communist takeover. p.s.: It seems that the meat portions are large but I realise there were all pig innards (liver, stomach) and no lean meat. This is a delicacy for the Chinese but probably won't interest the Caucasians.
		Me at Chelsea International Hostel (USD$32 for a bed per night). While I was writing my diary, I wanted to make a statement with the beer can in the paper bag. In the Land of Freedom, one may be arrested for grounds of "public intoxication" if he or she was caught drinking beer on the streets. But well, a simple solution was proposed by the Korean stall owner when he knew my intentions; put the damn can in a paper bag!
		Sometimes I would rather stay in Hotel Chelsea than Chelsea International Hostel. Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and Sid Vicious (the Sex Pistols band murdered his girlfriend here) all spent some time here in this indie hotel. But the price was simply too much; a night here can cost as much as USD$500 a night. I guess I can only dream about it.
		Just thought it was a great picture taken at the 23rd Street Subway Station. The subway network is an important part of everyday life in New York. A single trip costs US$2 (or S$2.80) - not exactly that cheap though.
		wyattwang.com doing it in 23rd Street Subway Station! p.s.: Was glad that not many people stared.
		A worker staring blankly at the hordes of tourists taking photographs of Ground Zero (or formerly where the World Trade Center was before 11 Sep 2001).
		I was wandering in the churchyard of St Paul's Church and thought that the American flag and a US Veteran plaque would be a good subject for my photograph. As this church was just beside the World Trade Center when 911 happened, it was used as a temporary location for firefighters when they took a couple of hours off for meals and rest before they go back to the heaps of rubble.
		This is probably a better view (taken on the overhead bridge over the junction of West Street and Vesey Street-now closed) of the reconstruction effort of the World Trade Center. There were still differences between various parties on what theme the new building should be adopting.
		wyattwang.com doing it in The Ground Zero (along Vesey Street)!
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