Nicolette
Orlemans is the face behind the blog Cultural Reflections. She is interested in all
sorts of stories about moving to the USA, and in how expats handle the new
culture in their lives.
She is
the founder of #CultureTrav, which is on every Thursday. Everyone working in Social Media, knows, it is best when enjoyed together, because it is all about community. So go on then, join the fun and play together. The more the merrier.
Nicolette is
so lucky to call New York City home, and tells us about her special places in
the city.
THE
TOURISTIN: Three
words that characterize New York City?
Nicolette
Orlemans: New York City is vibrant,
diverse, and interesting!
THE
TOURISTIN: How do you get around New York City?
Nicolette
Orlemans: The best way around is with
the subway. You can (usually) get to where you need to be quickly, and it's a
relatively easy system to figure out. Walking is also enjoyable and allows you
to get some exercise while discovering new parts of the city.
THE
TOURISTIN: What is the best kept secret about New
York City?
Nicolette
Orlemans: Revealing that wouldn't keep
it secret much longer...but I do love the historical High Line. It provides
people with the unique perspective of seeing New York City "from
above." When you go, be sure to bring a camera, a cup of tea or coffee,
and enjoy a leisurely walk! It can be a little bit windy, so keep that in mind.
THE
TOURISTIN: What is your favourite
borough/suburb/area in New York City and why?
Nicolette
Orlemans: The West Village, Chelsea,
SoHo, and the Upper West Side (around Lincoln Center) truly represent what New
York City is all about, to me. I work in Midtown (very close to Times Square),
so I usually leave the area quickly to avoid the crowds. Brooklyn and Queens
are wonderful as well, and you'll find fun restaurants, cozy cafes, museums, and
other events there. In Brooklyn, I especially enjoy Greenpoint for its Polish
cuisine, Park Slope, Carroll Gardens, and DUMBO for its art community. In
Queens, I've explored Astoria and really like it there as well.
THE
TOURISTIN: The best place for a hot chocolate or
coffee in New York City?
Nicolette
Orlemans: Jack's Stir Brew Coffee
in the West Village. Specialty coffees, interesting menu, and love the cute
cafe with portraits on the wall.
THE
TOURISTIN: What is one restaurant we must try out
while in New York City?
Nicolette
Orlemans: Two of my favorite
restaurants are in my own neighborhood in Harlem. Red Rooster has a nice
ambiance with live music and tasty food, while at Chez Lucienne you can enjoy
authentic, delicious French cuisine.
THE
TOURISTIN: Where would we meet you on weekends?
Nicolette
Orlemans: The beauty of living in New
York City is that weekends are never quite the same. There are many events, art
galleries, museums, festivals and other activities happening in all parts of
the city throughout the week. I have subscriptions to several newsletters that
alert me to events. Even though I've lived here for more than two years, I feel
that there is always something to explore.
THE
TOURISTIN: Do you have a favourite museum/gallery
we all have to visit when in New York City?
Nicolette
Orlemans: The American Museum of Natural History and the MoMA remain favorites, but another gem is the Museum of Arts and Design
(MAD). The museum showcases the artistic process behind making the art, and
you can easily wander around without getting lost in a crowd or feeling
overwhelmed.
THE
TOURISTIN: What are some of your favourite places
to shop for A) groceries and B) clothes?
Nicolette
Orlemans: Trader Joe's and Whole Foods
have great, fresh grocery selections. Both will be crowded on any day
(especially on the weekends), but the lines move quickly and have convenient
locations throughout the city! Another smaller, specialty grocery store with a
wide assortment is Fairway.
If you enjoy shopping, SoHo is wonderful. There are not only many popular
(designer) stores around SoHo, but also fun restaurants and cafes to stop by
for lunch or coffee. On a rainy day, the mall at Columbus Circle offers fun,
indoor shopping!
THE
TOURISTIN: What souvenir shall we bring back from
New York City?
Nicolette
Orlemans: I find that the best
souvenirs are your own photographs since they let you hold on to fun memories,
but magnets are a nice, lightweight memento, as well.
THE
TOURISTIN: Thank you so very much for your time Nicolette and safe
travels.
From Berlin with love