on the way to Carnegie Hall, i ask people “how do i get to Carnegie Hall?” most new yorkers didn’t even know where it was. finally a grumpy taxi driver pointed me the way. when i seen the beautiful historic building, i thought to myself “WOW, i’m finally here!!!”

i don’t really know too much about the history about Carnegie Hall except it being the most historical place for music in the world.

monday march 9. the day has finally arrived! the Kaimuki Middle School Symphonic Winds. they played along some of americas best high school bands.

i get in and check out the museum. Carnegie Hall was opened in 1891. yes, that is hundreds of years ago. historic building and most prestigious place for music.

some of the most famous artists played in Carnegie. even guys like George Benson.

Mr. Winston Churchill also had a lecture in there.

Martin Luther King, and Frank Sinatra too. i can’t believe i was standing in the same building where these great people once stood.

the inside is amazing. so historic that it takes you back hundreds of years.

when i opened one of the doors, i took a peak inside and got chicken skin.

OMG! you could just feel the power. it was amazing.

then the people started filling in. of course i was one of the first to get there. haha.

then the Kaimuki Middle School band came out. they were first. i was so nervous for them. all 11-13 year old hawaiian kids living out their dreams. once they started playing, the music coming from their instruments just echoed throughout the hall. it was music to the ears. i had chicken skin for the whole 20 minute performance. it was totally awesome! one of the highlights of my life. i know most of the parents couldn’t come to watch their kids play, but just let me tell you that they all did awesome. you should all be so proud of these young kids representing hawaii in such a great way.
**later that night, i get a call saying that the kids got the gold medal! there were 3 judges and the kids won the gold! beating out the high schoolers! they were all excited and hopefully the hawaii news will be on this story when they all get back to hawaii on the 13th. congratulations to the Kaimuki Middle School Band!

The new World Trade Center!
So beautiful!

i was pretty excited to get off the airplane safely in new york. never had the desire to come here, but if i had the chance, i’d take it. this was my chance so i took it.

so i ask the welcome center, “how do i get to Carnegie Hall?” the lady gives me a puzzled look and says “where?” i laughed because i thought she was joking but she wasn’t. i couldn’t believe it. anyway, i ask someone else and get the route there. a 20 minute $60 taxi ride? or a 1 hour $2.50 bus and subway ride? guess which one i took?

yup, the cheap one. i get on the bus and try to put my metro card into the card reader. i had no idea which way it went in. the bus driver was getting impatient. she said “NOT THAT WAY!!! NOT THAT WAY!! NOT THAT WAY!!” she started yelling at me as if i was stupid. no, i’m not stupid, i just haven’t’ done this before. gosh, slow down lady!

i take my seat and see this sign. “Please No Spitting?” in the bus? omg, welcome to New York!

and it’s freaking snowing? 0 degrees celsius? are you kidding?

i get off the bus at the subway station. everything is in english but i’m still lost.

the subway was much more dirty than i expected. compared to japan, i’d say “wash your trains guys!”

i get off, snow everywhere. i walk up and down the street looking for my apartment i rented. freaking lost!

New York is too busy for me. after coming from El Salvador, i was in total culture shock. i just got here but wanted to leave already.

went to do the normal tourist stuff. times square, the 9/11 memorial.
miss the blue sky and white sandy beaches! now i’m really getting homesick.