New York likes you as a friend...

Darrell and I just returned from an amazing trip to New York City. I have so many thoughts, feelings and emotions about this trip I don't even know where to begin. We spent five fun packed days touring Manhattan with another couple of good friends. Here are my random thoughts.

Strangely enough, one of my favorite areas of New York was the Subway. It's true what people say that New Yorkers aren't the most personable people. They'll run you over on the sidewalk without even a glance in your direction. There is no friendly banter or chit chat on the subway, no eye contact, no smiles or even a "Where you headed?" I was completely intrigued with these seemingly introverted people. Add that to the fact that EVERYONE had black or brown hair. My friend and I stood out like neon lights with our blond hair and blue/green eyes. Needless to say, I felt very out of place.

What we did know was that New Yorkers were completely friendly and helpful IF they had a reason to to talk to you. It was just a matter of breaking the ice, and a thick ice it was at that. I remember one instance when I was watching a black man standing six inches from me on the train. (He hadn't looked at me once.) I wondered where he was going and what he was thinking. He had an I pod and I felt a sudden urge to say "Hey, what are you listening to?" just to see his reaction, and also because I really wanted to know what he was listening to! I chickened out and never said a word. Next time....

The entertainment on the subway was excellent!! We became so accustomed to having someone sing or play an instrument for us everywhere we went. Take a listen. :)







Our feet and backs ached after all the walking and subway hopping to the must sees. Our second day there it rained constantly all day and all night. By the time we got back to our room,we were completely drenched and frozen!



I couldn't believe how close in proximity all the buildings and attractions were. I imagined the Empire State Building on it's own lot with landscaping etc. Come to find out it's inconspicuously attached to a strip mall. (If you pass Men's Warehouse you've gone to far.)
We would be walking down any random street and stumble upon the New York Public Library, or Rockefeller Center, big as life. Since the city really does never sleep, we were able to see just about everything on our lists.

The World Trade Center

We stayed two nights in my sister in laws apartment which was located only two blocks from the World Trade Center. I really can't put into words the feelings I had while touring this site. There was the sense of being on sacred ground. Even though the people seemed to have gone on with their regular lives, eating at hot dog stands, rushing to make an appointment or shopping while the sales last, the mammoth buildings, the gum stained streets, and the crisp ocean air seemed to stand as silent witnesses of that horrific day. You could just FEEL the emotion....

Wall Street

Darrell got all kinds of happy when walked up to Wall Street and the New York Stock Exchange. A news reporter was standing on the corner asking people their opinions about the economy. As I listened to their responses, I watched businessmen in their fancy suits walk down the street with a little less spring in their steps.







The New York Public Library

This is the most beautiful library I have ever seen. It looked more like a cathedral than a library. I could have spent hours there. It was also really cool to be in a spot where Ghostbusters was filmed. :)







Times Square

Why is it called Times Square anyway? This place was definitely hoppin' all night long. Our first meal in New York was at Bubba Gumps on Times Square. It all seemed so exciting. There was the bright lights, the hustle and bustle, the taxi filled streets and the sense that everyone was rushing to do something fun.





The Metropolitan Museum

We were COMPLETELY blown away by the Met. Our jaws dropped as we wandered trough Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Asian, and Medieval artifacts. There was a temple that had been transported from Egypt and reassembled in the museum! We were totally caught off guard at the sight of ORIGINAL pieces or art from artists such as Monet, Renoir, Degas, Van Gough and so many more. Darrell and I had studied these artists in college and it was so surreal to see their work in person.







Ellis Island

Ellis Island was a special place for me since many of my ancestors arrived there over a hundred years ago. Immigration Station was large and spacious. It took some imagination to picture it completely full of people waiting to reach their next destination.





Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty is even more grand and beautiful in real life. Again we had warm fuzzies as we imagined immigrants getting their first glimpse of her. Darrell said to me "Do you keep thinking of movie Titanic?" And believe it or not I had!





Rockefeller Center/NBC Studios

One highlight of the trip was going to the Top of the Rock and taking a tour of NBC Studios. We were able to see the studio and sets of Saturday Night Live as they prepared for an upcoming show. The studio is so tiny, less than half the size it seems on TV. The Top of the Rock was breathtaking and freezing cold!! This is a picture of us freezing our nubbins off!







Last but not least...

Me and Bono at Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum.



The four of us on a carriage ride through Central Park



Dinner at Ruby Foos. If you use the restroom there, a lady at the sink will turn your water on for you, squirt soap in your hands and hand you a towel when you're done. Then you have a variety of lotions to use. I should have asked what other services they offered.. .





We also ate at a quaint restaurant in Little Italy. (Best lemonade I've ever tasted) Then there was Rue 57 an upscale restaurant we went to with Jaana's cousin. I couldn't pronounce half of the dishes on the menu. He generously picked up the check for all of us. The food in New York is amazing! And yes, the hot dogs are that good.

There are a ton of things I've left out such as shopping at FAO Schwartz and Macy's (loved the old escalators made completely out of wood) and stopping in for a drink at Jekyll and Hydes creepy club/restaurant to get out of the rain. Every night we joked and giggled like little kids at a sleep over. Oh and the cathedrals were.... I can't put it into words.

We had so much fun with our friends Jaana and Paul (Grandpa PP). It was awesome having our own personal paparazzi with amazing photo taking skills! Here are a few more random pics.

I can without a doubt say I LOVE New York, even if New York just likes me as a friend. :)

Visual Personlaity

This is a fun visual personality quiz. Click on pictures that appeal to you and find out what you're really all about. The first is Darrell's, then mine. Just because he's a go getter and I'm a dreamer doesn't mean I'm lazy!!

Darrells sister Tone and her hubby came for a fun filled visit last month. On the top of our to do list....Shooting. Ya, us girls are cool like that, and apparently I have really good "groupings". :) Tone is such an awesome shot. She could hit anything with that seventeen. Woo!





Tone's camera has an automatic function that will take a picture when someone smiles. As you can tell, we had a fun time testing it out. "Smile bigger...no, bigger!"