New York is a pussy cat

Well, just as I thought. New York people are ordinary people and not deranged killers and drug lords. Strangers say hello to me in the street, most are polite, and all behave in a very orderly and polite fashion at a mass event like 4 July fireworks.

And while walking a zillion miles from one end of Manhattan Island to the other after the fireworks, and arriving back at my hotel at 1am, I only encounter friendly faces.

And here is my friendly face soaking up the high energy and enormous crowds in Times Square after the fireworks. It's 11.30pm and a very mild 78 degrees. Can you see me? Where's Mandy? I'm wearing a red, sleeveless top and am holding a camera with both hands to take this piccie of a big screen in Times Square.

This is a much larger format piccie if you want to zoom in better to look for me. Hint: I am in the bottom left quarter of the piccie.

Anyhoo, why did I walk nearly 70 blocks at that hour of the night, I hear you ask?

Well, I was already hesitant about using public transport after the 4 July celebrations in case some extremists thought it was a golden opportunity to do some pay back after Osama bin Laden's killing.

About 11.45pm, I finally went to enter the underground to get the subway back to the hotel - when about six fire trucks and police vans come screaming up to the entrance, sirens blaring and they stop people entering. A few go down in full emergency kit, and well, that is enough for me and I start walking ...

Then, about half way back, I thought about trying again - only to see two police cars and about six cops loitering around the next entrance I come to. So on I walk.

BUT, I have to say, this city really does never sleep. On the way I see florists and grocers filling and arranging their street front displays ready for the morning. People are still eating in heaps of restaurants - not lingering with a drink after a meal - but eating at 1am. I'm not talking fast food outlets, but proper restaurants.

Earlier in the day I walk through Central Park for hours and hours the park really is alive with people soaking up the glorious weather and being very patriotic.

I can't believe how many families are having a BBQ (for 4 July, of course) with smoky clouds of tempting aromas enveloping me.

Many are actually bringing in sports equipment like portable goal posts for soccer etc. Everyone is laughing and ready to greet anyone walking past.

The main road through the park is filled with people on bicycles, but they are not allowed on the walking paths, so it is easy to just amble through without being on alert.

At a pond where you can hire model boats, I stop for a wine.

But right now, it is another day and I have to get away from this computer and check out Downtown NY, Fifth Ave, the Empire State Building, and the Staten Island ferry is calling.