Day in New York City

I had a full day free and was based near Grand Central so headed out to some of the mid town sights.

Rockerfella centre.

Radio city.

I had organised a tour about Manhattan architecture and art. It was weird. It was supposed to be great for bad weather as it looked at some of the underground parts, but we wondered seemingly randomly about and even in a few cases into some ones office. And were told to leave. Really awkward.
Some of the art was cool.

Atlas outside Saint Patricks.

Last time I was in the city, Saint Patricks was under scaffolding so it was really nice to actually see it.

St Patricks

Pretty.

The end of the tour required me to walk through the Trump tower. I felt sick and needed a shower! Though I did appreciate the couple of guys selling anti-trump badges right outside. 

After the tour I grabbed some lunch from a food cart and headed into Central Park to chill out. Turns out the weather was pretty nice. 

View from the park

I had to move hotels on the Monday so after lunch headed back and moved to the new hotel but wondering out to Grand Central. I do love this train station. And more importantly I found the market again and stocked up on loose leaf teas. I got a load last time and was sad when they ran out.

Ceiling at Grand Central

The meetings were in the RELX New York offices which go over a road so the views from the windows were very cool.

I spend the rest of the week on work things but did enjoy a few very nice meals (a lovely chinese and a seafood night with oysters and ceviche) and spend a couple of evenings in the gay piano bar over the road from my hotel. 

New York City - Last morning

On our last day, Caroline had to leave early so we went for a breakfast at a diner nearby before finishing packing. I left my stuff in the room and went with Caroline who tried to hail a cab on our street. After a few taxis past, one stopped. It was already occupied but she rolled down the window and told us to go to the corner of 3rd Avenue (next road down). Apparently the trick is to wave from the corner (and partially standing in the road helps but we weren't that brave/crazy). Eventually we flagged one down and Caroline went off to Penn Station to get her train to Baltimore airport.
I went back to Grand Central. While we were stuck on the bus yesterday evening, the tour guide was filling in time (while trying to figure out where we were going because it was not the way we should be due to something happening on 49th, either an accident or the road was blocked because someone famous arrived at the Waldorf Astoria.) She told us loads of things about Grand Central, like how they smuggled Jackie Kennedy out in the middle of the night on a train (I have no idea why that was so impressive but she and others seemed to think so.) There are lots of secret tunnels and train lines there going to the Waldorf, which is the President's hotel while in New York. It started with Roosevelt staying there and other Presidents after have kept up the tradition. The tunnels were built so Roosevelt could kept the secret he was in a wheelchair and arrive secretly. Of course, I couldn't go in the tunnels, but still pretty cool. Also they are supposed to have great shops there!
And the station itself is really is beautiful. Penn Station used to be the same but they tore it down, but thankfully saved Grand Central Terminal.

Astronomy on the ceiling.

View from the balcony.

I had a wonder around but couldn't find all these amazing shops people talk about.
And then I found heaven! Grand Central Market. Remember I have been in Blacksburg for the past few months which isn't exactly the height of civilization (though I do love it already there) but the selection of gourmet foods etc is limited. The market was fairly small but amazing. They had meat, fish, cheese, veg, and more.

Veg stall

The most beautiful cakes I have ever seen!

Spice and tea heaven!!!!

Even chocolate!

Though my favorite was the spices and teas where I brought lots of different spices and tea. (The selection was amazing!) I came away a little poorer but very happy!
After that I wondered a little, hit one more souvenir shop for a few little bits and headed back to the hotel as my shuttle to the airport is at 12pm. I then have 2 and a half hours in Terminal F in Philly. If you ever go there, take food and reading material. There is nothing!!!!!
Overall, I love New York!!!! I don't really like cities that much but I think I could live in New York. There is so much to do and am looking forward to next visit and doing all the things I missed this time! :-)

New York - Day 4

On Thursday morning, we went to Grand Central Terminal. Very pretty and by far the nicest station I have seen in a while. There is a large astronomy scene on the ceiling.

Grand central

The famous clock in the centre of the concourse.

We headed to Hell's Kitchen again, to the Cosmic diner for breakfast. (We both have a new found love of Turkey bacon!)  Then got on the tour bus down to Greenwich Village and SoHo. I recommend the tour buses. Some of the tour guides are a bit weird (Caroline got a love declaration on this bus) and you look like a complete tourist but we learnt a lot of great stuff we wouldn't have otherwise.
We got off at Greenwich and are such wimps; within 5 mins we were in a cafe. The wind was bitter and we were so cold. But at the cafe, they did tell us the better places to go for shopping, so we headed to SoHo. This area is really cool and friendly. Most of the normal shops but there is one called The Evolution Store, which has things like skulls, shells, fossils, and links art to science. We spent ages (and lots of money) there. Caroline brought an amazing necklace. I got a spider's web which is captured in glass. It's from a spider species called the beautiful one, and was found in New Jersey.

Spider's web in glass.

I also got a stone made from Volcanic rock from Mexico which changes color when looked at in different lights.
Then we walked down to Tribeca (an area of the city near the World Trade centre). We didn't really want to go to the 911 Memorial but we had a look at the new World Trade Tower which should be finished by the beginning of next year. There will be one main tower and 6 smaller ones. Mainly we wanted to see the Miracle church. It was named this as it has survived a lot. Fires. Storms. And the Twin towers falling. Buildings further away had all their windows blown out. And the church was untouched. The trees in the grave yard saved it from the debris.
It was also where the fire men slept while digging through the ruins and inside is the story of what happened at the church during that time. It was very sad and there is a flag with all the names on of people who died.

New World Trade Centre

Miracle church 

Bell given to NYC from London outside church.

In Battery Park, which is on the southern tip of the island, there is a gold ball which was in front of the towers when the collapsed. Around it is a community garden, which feeds the homeless, and a WW2 tribute.

What is left of the ball from in front of the twin towers.

Monument of WW2

Names of fallen soldiers of WW2.

View from Battery Park of Statue of Liberty.

After that, we headed back to the Fire Zone. Before the presentation, we had a look around. The walls were covered with badges from fire departments from all over the world. There was also a poster on the wall with the names and photos of all the fire fighters who died in 9/11. I did not realize there were so many! Humbling. Anyway, the presentation was more meant for little kids but it was still fun. We also promised a photo with a firefighter. Unfortunately the fireman was a nice guy but not the cute hunk we were hoping for. ;-) So we skipped.

Mascots in the fire truck

badges.

More badges.

We ate in Hell's Kitchen again. It's an area west of Times square. The food is just as good and half the price as that in Times Square. So Caroline got her New York pizza, and we enjoyed a very nice bottle of New Zealand Riesling. Then we headed back to the hotel to pack, via Times Square. The New Years ball is a lot smaller than we expected, only 6 foot in diameter. And Times Square is not even a square! It's a triangle. But there area is full of life and lots of lights and billboards.

Times Square. 

New Years ball.

After packing, it was out to the wine bar for more Pouilly Fume for our last night. Very tasting!