How you doin'? Sorry, couldn't resist. Welcome to New York, very exciting, I know. Well as you can probably guess the rather drunk man was sat next to us, but for the first time ever I was comfortable in an economy class seat as we were in the front row. Thankfully the drunk man fell asleep almost as soon as he was in his seat which was a relief for everyone, until he began to snore, one of the stewardesses looked like she was seriously considering smothering him with a blanket.

As we were delayed, we had missed our landing slot so had to circle the city for a while, normally this is rather dull, but being New York the view was spectacular. I was rather disappointed that it was raining. Holidays always seem to be more fun when you arrive and it's sunny and hot. The rain did cause a slight problem when we went outside get a taxi to the hotel I slipped over, and landed rather painfully on Gary's suitcase. Naturally someone from the airport came over to help me up. I was rather puzzled when they took me off to a side room and presented me with a waiver, if I signed to say I wouldn't sue I would get $3000, I think I'm going to like this country, you get paid if you fall over.

It was a rather strange drive into the city, it was like driving through a film set. There was an odd moment when we got to the hotel though. Gary pointed at the hotel sign 'The Perez Lodge' I felt Gary leaning in behind me.
"It's the closest I could find to The Hamilton Lodge, wanted to make you feel at home, literally."
"This is why I love you, you're so thoughtful, now can we go inside, as I am soaked and really want to go to bed."
The name should have been somewhat of a giveaway, but when we tried to check in it turned out we were the only people in the whole hotel who didn't speak Spanish.

I knew it was early when I woke up the next morning, it always is on first days. Gary was sat up next to me, just staring into space.
"Morning."
"What time is it?" He looked at his phone.
"Half 3, I've only been up for about 10 minutes, I was going to watch the news but didn't want to wake you."
I know why Americans are perceived as knowing nothing about the world, it's because their news channels are awful. Endless orange people insulting people who don't share their political views.

Breakfast was rather amusing, we were somewhat of a novelty to the owner, but he seemed nice enough. Our conversation (with the aid of google translate) did go a bit wonky when he asked why we had chosen his hotel. Gary explained that it was an in joke for his girlfriend and pointed to me, unfortunately there was a mistranslation and Gary said I was his mistress. The worrying thing is the guy didn't seem fazed by it. Thankfully the waiter came over and cleared up the confusion. It was a bad start to a bad day, the weather had improved somewhat so we decided to take the ferry over to the Statue Of Liberty, though it stopped raining the water was choppy and Gary spent most of the trip a distinct shade of green, and when we got there we couldn't move without ruining people's photos, so decided not to climb to the top.

Once we were back on dry land, we went for a coffee and to consult the guidebook for somewhere to go for lunch, we managed to look even more touristy a couple of days later. We were caught in a sudden shower and the nearest stand only had I Heart NY ones, lovely, I do feel sorry for any locals who get caught in the rain.

Let's just say lunch didn't quite go to plan, as he had been there once Gary was confident he knew the subway system, this confidence was misplaced. We were rather suspicious when we got out of the train and the station was suspiciously shabby. We went outside to see man arguing with a policeman and waving a gun about, so we turned round and went back to somewhere we sort of knew, the last sound we heard was a gunshot. I don't we didn't know who was shot and frankly we weren't to keen to find out.

We spent the next couple of days wandering around the city, it still felt like a film set though. When it got to our last night we decided to walk through Times Square, we'd only been there during the day, but at night the whole thing was so much brighter, more exciting.
"All these lights are so pretty."
"Not as pretty as you."
"What do you want?"
"Why would you think I want something?"
"Because, although I never believe you, no matter how many times you reassure me, it's usually followed by you wanting something."
"I've been rumbled, yes there is something I want. Miranda, will you marry me?"
I was stunned into silence for a second.
"Yes, yes, of course Gary, yes."
"If only it wasn't our last night, I would have whisked you off to Vegas."
"That sounds lovely, but pretty soon after I would be on the news as the grieving widow."
"Why?"
"Because mum would have killed you for denying her use of the wedding chart?"
"There's a wedding chart?"
"We're you there at Christmas? I don't think she knows I know about it."
"So we don't even get to plan our wedding?"
"Nope, but I think we should go to that place we went for lunch yesterday to celebrate."
"You want to go for a burger to celebrate our engagement?"
"Yes, I saw the ominous word diet on the Chart. I'm going to make the most of food while I can."