New York- Gay Pride Parade 25th June

Our shuttle dropped us off on a main street and pointed to our hotel down a dodgey side street of Chelsea. With 2 suitcases, 2 backpacks, a camera bag and laptop we staggered our way through a street where tatty clothes for sale lined the footpath and an old Chinese man relieved himself against the corner of a building Welcome to New York!

We were only in Chelsea for one night. Our next place of residence was in Manhattan in the Spanish Harlem area which is made up of mostly Puerto Rican and Dominica Republic Spanish speaking people. The Projects are just across the street but it’s great as the Subway is really close. We stayed with my sister Malia’s friend, Anika, who she used to work with at a hospital in the US. Anika is married to Hugh who is finishing his anatheasology qualification and they have 2 kids Milo (4year old daughter) and Otto (2 year old son). Otto has so much energy and he runs around the apartment with a cheeky smile on his face all of the time. Milo is a lot calmer and she was a lot of fun to talk and play with. Otto and Milo found a friend in Louise as she would get things for them. It was great fun staying with them especially as Hugh brought home Krispie Kreme’s for Louise twice. She was so excited that she wore the hat that Hugh brought home from the store. (Note from Louise - while ofcourse I was excited by Krispy Kremes, Warren made me wear the hat then took a photo when I was deeply engrossed in conversation)

Our first day in New York we saw the Gay Pride Parade. No – we didn’t plan our dates in NY to include gay pride week, it was just a coincidence. I have never seen so many middle aged white bodies bulging out of tiny g strings. Hideous! Warren reckoned the Sydney gays were much more impressive. At least the end of the parade had 2 very fine washboard abbed models that were a lot easier on the eye. It was interesting to see the different groups parading- everyone from gay friendly churches to gay seniors. There were heaps of people there but our section of audience was somewhat subdued. It started raining so we put up our rainbow spotted umbrella and suddenly we were popular. After about 2 1/2 hours of parade watching we even came away with a pocketful of fluorescent green, mint-tingle Trojans!