New York, New York!

New York, New York! (1)

We flew into JFK airport, and could see the Manhattan  skyline and it all became real. Our lovely New York friends picked us up at the airport and drove us to their lovely home on Long Island. Their part of NY was a lot greener, more trees and wider streets with houses with their own back yards than we expected. Their house is small width wise, but 2 story with a basement, garage and back yard. Very lovely! They have lived here since the 80’s, with local schools, shops nearby.

We went for a drive and saw some local homes with Halloween decorations on their front areas which were cool. We drove past these extremely rich houses set amongst acres of trees and fields, just minutes from their house!

Then it was to their local pizzeria for lunch, and that was what I thought it would be. Lots of diff. types of pizza for us to try. The nicest was ‘grandma’s” made with her secret sauce! This was before and after shots!

Later that evening, our friends from Boston turned up so the 6 of us had wine and a lovely Italian dinner cooked by Judin just for us. I love our friends!

The next day we got picked up by their son in law, who had a big car to take us all to the train station then off to NY city itself! We ended up at Penn Station, which is very central in Manhattan and right by our hotel for next week, so it was great to see where we would be. We all got on the hop-on-off bus to see central Manhattan.  The stop was by Macy’s, and lots of skyscrapers, old and new. Park Avenue was sooooo busy (Sat. morning), I was fascinated how people could live there.

Freedom tower and  9/11 memorial.

We got off at the World trade centre site. There was a lovely sculpture in front and where the twin towers used to be are now two large pools of water each one covering the area of each tower, so large. They had the names of the 3000 people who died engraved on the sides and asked you to touch them. There were waterfalls that went down to the pools at the bottom. Very moving – I found a Brendan Dolan.

Luckily our friend Richie was our tour guide and had organised tickets to get up the Freedom tower with priority passes. The best thing! The crowds waiting for tickets had a long wait as they allow only a certain number up at a time.

What a view1 I was scared as I am not good with heights. We were 100 floors up and 360degrees view all over New York. I was so proud of myself as I went near the windows (with Dave looking after me). Not over-crowded so able to take our time.

After the Freedom Tower we decided to have a street vendor snack – which was lucky as the police moved him on soon after. Becoming quite partial to these hotdogs. This is their version of a kebab – huge!

Then off to the 9/11 Museum – extremely well-done and very sobering. Most  of it is underground and you see the actual bits of steel and walls of the foundations of the two buildings. There is a part with the 3000 pictures of everyone and even family tributes to them. There is the remains of the antennae which was at the top of the towers, and the damaged fire trucks etc. The big column is the final steel remains that was the last part to be taken down from ‘Ground Zero’ after all the rubbish and rubble of the buildings was cleared. The workers laid their own tributes onto it.  (the part that got me the most was the photos and video images – some from the actual windows of the tower after the planes hit). Families of victims and workers can get in free.

We needed some light relief after that so it was off on a subway ride to times Square area. Bright, glitzy and full of people. I was like a little kid looking at all the signs, cause it is Broadway as well and all the theatres are advertising their shows!

We found this lovely piano bar for a drink or two – dark, long, walk down the steps into it, and sing along with the piano (you can make requests). I had a ball after a few drinks  …… the crowed bar was fun. On the way out people were asking where we were from! Obviously Dave and I were WAY too loud!

 I discovered a lovely police horse who was sick of tourists!

Then onto a gorgeous Italian restaurant – where I astonished myself and others by eating my way through pasta belonging to Judi and a very thick pork chop Italian style.

After it was a Uber ride back to Long Island and I gooed and gahhed all the way looking at the lights and lit up sky scrapers at night! Very long day and bed by 1am. Great day!