Exploring Downtown New York City during the coronavirus lockdown

Even with this virus going on, the new york city hustle still has to go on. I wanted to see how nyc looks like during the lockdown. It was only day 3 of the quarantine. No one was really taking it that seriously at that time. So there was some people going out. As I write this, there is a curfew now.

Did all the preparations to make sure there won’t be any unwanted souvenirs. This time exploring Manhattan, you can tell it was nothing to joke about. I was the only one walking around in the streets at times. Never felt so alone in new york.

I could not shake that gut feeling that something is wrong. I know that this virus is bad but, this is something coming from an apocalyptical movie. What made it worse was the homeless guy screaming in the background in pain. He was screaming like a lunatic. Not sure if he was doing this on purpose to get attention or he really was hurting. Maybe both possibly.

The freedom tower photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

Dark clouds came overhead, it was so poetic. As almost the clouds knew, we are in for some dark times. I’m going to try to be as postive as possible. However, seeing new york city like this really pushes my fear buttons.

Places that are usually filled with people, seems almost like a ghost town. The picture above is the mall at the world trade center. This place is usually packed with people. Either going to/leaving work or just shopping. I never seen anything like this during a weekday at 4 pm.

What I kept noticing were the police and the security guards still working. Felt almost bad for them. They weren’t wearing any mask. Some were wearing gloves. However, they are the ones seeing this pandemic live. They are at the front lines of this. It has given me a higher level of respect towards the people who risk their lives to bring us peace. I dont agree to everything they do. Yet, picture new york city or your local area without any police during a lockdown. I’m sure people will turn to rioting after a few days.

Went to a local barbershop in downtown Manhattan. Saw this sign. It’s clear some people are too worry about the virus to care about spelling and grammar. I’m not a grammar police but come on…you can’t spell further nor precaution? At least use google, to spell it for you. If this picture becomes a meme, you know where you found it first.

I went exploring downtown manhattan during day 3 of the lockdown. It was not as serious as it is now. I recommend none of you do this!

Keep safe everyone! Please don’t leave the house unless you have to. I wish you all luck and health!! Much love and safe travels!.

Check out our eBook “How to Travel for Dirt Cheap” by Hugo Morel for ways to make your dreams of traveling come true without breaking the bank. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M848M47?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420&fbclid=IwAR0_mRF-eE9tODIshljVr7CQ8h6vKT6hHn_8gZfJ94DySY1ylPO2Itu2Qe

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For my underwater photos, I use the gopro hero 7 white.

We have partnered up with booking.com and working on TripAdvisor. Here are some links for each hope you all enjoy!Here are links to hotels and other deals.For Hotels, make sure to click here. For apartments make sure to click here. For Resorts click here. For villas click here. For bed and breakfast and for Guest houses, make sure to click the links!

March 24, 2020 17

New york city during “lockdown” Being socially isolated

So, we are here. What feels like a movie, as if we are in the start of “I am Legend.” The world has made a semi-stop. New York City has felt the impact. The whole world is feeling this virus. Wheather by being sick, losing money or stuck at home. I’m here, in the USA’s biggest city. Trying to stay positive without being positive of corona. Sadly, I’m not talking about the beer.

In front of Bryant Park photo courtesy of Hugo Motel

I just couldn’t be stuck inside my home. I love being free. It almost feels like house arrest. Never actually experienced it and I never want to. Left my home to just get my mind off of things. It’s sadden me to what is happening. Never seen midtown New York City look so empty. There very few people out and walking.

Usually this street is packed photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

Not sure if people are overreacting or this virus is really that bad. It’s crazy how I went to Wuhan and never got sick. Now, I have to worry about it at home. The irony is strong in this situation. Thought I dodged a bullet but now I need to be careful once again. While inChina, I was suggested by locals to go to the market in Wuhan where it all started. Luckily, I declined it.

Nyc Subway station being empty due to the corona virus photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

Went underground to catch a train to get to another part of midtown. What really shocked me was the lack of people. This what a midtown station looks like after 3 am. I was there at 1 pm on monday. This station is usually packed at that time. This was 34th street pen station. Where you can catch all the trains! Crazy how lonely it looked.

Times sqaures photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

Went to times Square, it was business as usual. There weren’t that many people as normally would be. However, that didn’t stop the street performers. Saw transformers break dancing. There is always something weird going on here. Let’s see what’s more to come of this.

Thank you so much for reading! Much love and safe travels!

For videos about cultures of the world and to see our travels, subscribe to our youtube channel!

For my underwater photos, I use the gopro hero 7 white.

March 17, 2020 37

An Inside look of Wuhan, China pre-coronavirus: On the journey to find the yellow crane tower

After looking like a crazy lost tourist, I was able to make some new friends at Starbucks. Looking back, it kind of hurts to think that these kind people are probably in a hospital now. It’s crazy how everything can change in such a short time. I was here in December 2019. Fast forwarded a month into the future and the corona-virus took over. It’s really sad to think about. However, getting back into the story, my new friends gave me directions and sites to see in Wuhan. They were surprised to see someone that looks like me in this part of china. I was seeing a pattern, I started to noticed they do not get travelers from all over the world here. The more time I spent in this central Chinese city, the more I enjoyed it. I’m just lost for words at how nice the people were to foreigners. Especially me being an american citizen, did not expect this type of treatment.

China’s verison of forever 21 photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

Following the directions of my new friends, I ended up in a commercial strip. Saw stores from all over the world. Brands, I was familiar with and others not so much. As shown in the picture above, you can see a lot of local stores take inspiration from American brands. It’s really hard to believe this is a “communist” china. I even saw people openly wearing cross necklaces and the Muslim hats called kufi. China is not like what the media tells us. I keep getting told that most Chinese have to be atheist. From just looking around, I see that people practice religion here. To what level of freedom, I will explain in another post.

Sign pointing where the yellow crane tower exit is photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

Got back on the subway, the original subway worker that I asked directions from. It looks like what she said got lost in translation. I ended missing the stop I was supposed to go. It wasn’t that bad because it was only like two stops away. I followed the poster pointing to what exit I should take. As seen above, everything was in Mandarin. Expect for some reason, the word “exit” was translated. I guess they want tourist like me to figure out the yellow crane tower might possibly be that way.

Got out of the underground and I was taken to the front of a park. I really wished I knew what these signs meant. They looked very important. Luckily, there were pictures of what not to do on the right. Still, the red banner made me wonder. Are they saying, “we don’t like Americans!” Or maybe, “All Americans eat cheeseburgers and french fries for breakfast!” Jokes aside, it could be government propaganda or just stating the park’s name. Which, I still do not know the name of this place. If any of you can read Mandarin, please let me know what the banner says. It would be greatly appreciated.

Art- I have no idea what that means photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

Walked more into the park, everybody seemed at easy and stress-less. I’m sure a complete 180 degree to the current events happening right now. Still, it’s hard to believe how peaceful everything was. Old people watching the birds and kids running around without a care in the world. Everybody was just enjoying their day. An atmosphere, I just had to sit down and enjoy. For once on my recent trip around Asia, I felt relax. No one wanted to scam me and no one harassing me. Wuhan, China isn’t so bad, it’s actually very enjoyable. I just hope everything calms down, so that you all can experience this someday.

The beautiful nature photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

The one thing that stood out to me about china is the natural beauty. You see it on the subway. The leaves and plants look so beautiful. I always thought China was nothing but apartment buildings and packed streets. So far, I have been wrong! Couldn’t wait to see what else China had to offer.

Thank you so much for reading! Much love and safe travels!

For videos about cultures of the world and to see our travels, subscribe to our youtube channel!

For my underwater photos, I use the gopro hero 7 white.

We have partnered up with booking.com and working on TripAdvisor. Here are some links for each hope you all enjoy!

Here are links to hotels and other deals.

For Hotels, make sure to click here. For apartments make sure to click here. For Resorts click here. For villas click here. For bed and breakfast and for Guest houses, make sure to click the links!