Friday, July 29, 2011
Studios
It's amazing the places you just happen to walk by. The other day we walked passed the studios where the "Daily Show" with John Stewart is recorded. You wouldn't even know it. A block from where we live is the Fashion Institute where those of you that watch "Project Runway" would know that's where aspiring designers come up with their fashion ideas to each week challenge. And a block down from us are the "Martha" studios where, yes you guessed it, Martha Stewart records her show. Unfortunately I have not seen Martha or John! But if I do see anyone famous whilst I am walking around town you'll be the first to know!
The MET and Little Italy
The first thing I need to do is apologise........I accidentally deleted the photos for this day, but on the good side I only took one or two.....
It was Saturday and Bryan wanted to go to the MET - The Metropolitan Museum of Art. It's located in Central Park. Once we got there it seemed that the rest of New York had the same idea, it was so busy. I can understand why - it was really hot and people were taking refuge in a cool place.
Now this place is HUGE!! We spent 3 hours in the MET and saw only a small section of the first floor. There are 3 floors and it is amazing. It is definitely somewhere that we will be going back many times. But it is expensive to get in $25.00, but because Bryan's company is a corporate sponsor we can get in for free. But even still I think it is worth the $25.00 entry fee. How So???? Let's just say it puts other Art Gallery's to shame. Each Hall (art period) has been architecturally designed to encompass that period so it feels like you have walked into a building of that period. For example, medieval art period - the Hall was done up similar to that of the of a Gothic church.
So make sure you wear your walking shoes. I also recommend that you hire the personal audio tours. Throughout the gallery are numbers under art works or as you enter a gallery hall. You can get specific information about a piece of art or an overview of the art in that hall. Bryan and I would sit on a bench and play the overview audio and then walk around the hall looking at the art and sculptures.
We decided after a couple of hours of walking around that we were hungry so we left the MET and went to a Metro diner and had hotdogs and fries!
After lunch we spent the rest of the day walking down 2nd Avenue home.
Later that night we headed out to Manhattan's Little Italy. This is a fun place. On a Friday evening and Saturdays after 12pm the streets are closed off so people can walk up and down the streets, going to bakeries, gelateria's, eating canollis and gelatos. It doesn't have the feel of Norton street but it is fun.
It was Saturday and Bryan wanted to go to the MET - The Metropolitan Museum of Art. It's located in Central Park. Once we got there it seemed that the rest of New York had the same idea, it was so busy. I can understand why - it was really hot and people were taking refuge in a cool place.
Now this place is HUGE!! We spent 3 hours in the MET and saw only a small section of the first floor. There are 3 floors and it is amazing. It is definitely somewhere that we will be going back many times. But it is expensive to get in $25.00, but because Bryan's company is a corporate sponsor we can get in for free. But even still I think it is worth the $25.00 entry fee. How So???? Let's just say it puts other Art Gallery's to shame. Each Hall (art period) has been architecturally designed to encompass that period so it feels like you have walked into a building of that period. For example, medieval art period - the Hall was done up similar to that of the of a Gothic church.
So make sure you wear your walking shoes. I also recommend that you hire the personal audio tours. Throughout the gallery are numbers under art works or as you enter a gallery hall. You can get specific information about a piece of art or an overview of the art in that hall. Bryan and I would sit on a bench and play the overview audio and then walk around the hall looking at the art and sculptures.
We decided after a couple of hours of walking around that we were hungry so we left the MET and went to a Metro diner and had hotdogs and fries!
After lunch we spent the rest of the day walking down 2nd Avenue home.
Later that night we headed out to Manhattan's Little Italy. This is a fun place. On a Friday evening and Saturdays after 12pm the streets are closed off so people can walk up and down the streets, going to bakeries, gelateria's, eating canollis and gelatos. It doesn't have the feel of Norton street but it is fun.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
World Trade Centre & Brooklyn Bridge
Today I decided to head downtown to check out the World Trade Centre site and the Brooklyn Bridge. If you are staying mid town or uptown it's a very long walk, so the best thing to do is take the subway.
Rule No13: Get to know how the subway works, it can save you a lot of time getting around Manhattan. It's not that hard. Each of the different main lines are different colours, and have different route options (for that line) labelled in a coloured circle (ie the red line has 1, 2, 3, 4).
Under each station name there are tiny numbers displayed. This tells you what route number stops at that station. For example, if you look at Houstan Street on the Red Line you will see the numbers "1 and 9" under its name. That means only routes 1 and 9 on the red line stop at Houstan Street.
Ok back to my adventure....
I decided to walk down to the World Trade Centre because my legs needed a stretch. Even though it was yet another hot day that did not stop me. I walked all the way down to the end of 6th street. As I got closer towards downtown I passed a Fire station and up on the outside of the wall were approx. 12 plaqs, one for each fire fighter that lost their life on September 11. I decided not to take a photo of that out of respect for the living fire fighters inside. I did not want them to think that loosing their fellow workmates in such a horrific event was being turned into a tourist attraction.
One of the reasons why I wanted to go to Ground Zero was because when Bryan and I visited the site nearly 5 years ago, there was still a massive hole in the ground and not a lot of visible re-work. I am happy to report that the site has come on in leaps and bounds.
I visited the temporary memorial centre. The real Memorial Centre is going to be opened on 9/11 this year. I can't believe it has been 10 years since that fateful day. I don't know if you remember what you were doing when you heard what was happening I know I do.
The temporary memorial centre is definitely a sombre place, people were very quiet taking in the different accounts of what happened that day. You could listen to interview and read from information they had up on the walls.
Right next to the World Trade Centre is the oldest public building in Manhattan that still in use "St Paul's Chapel". Now, this little chapel has someone very special looking over it. It is literally right across the road from the World Trade Centre and when the two towers came down all the buildings except for this little church had severe damage to them. Not one piece of this church was affected. It also witnessed the Great Fire of New York city in 1776. So it has come through some major events.
During the recovery phase of 9/11 St Paul's was used as the command post in managing the retrieval and removal of bodies and debris. For many of the Fire Fighters, Police and Ambulance personnel it also became a temporary refuge where after completing a 12 hour shift in "the Pitt" (as they called it) they would come into "St Pauls" to get some sleep on some cots that the Volunteers had set up.
Now, looking at brighter memories, this little church had a name for itself long before 9/11. Some very important people came and attended service here. One person even on his inauguration day - George Washington.
After I left St Paul's I decided a needed a little pick-me-up so off I went in search of the Brooklyn Bridge. On my way I passed New Yorks "City Hall" and City Hall Park. The park is amazing, it has some awesome modern sculptures in it.
Unfortunately it was closed off to the public. Im not too sure if it is always closed off to the public so you'll need to find out - if you want to visit it!
Right next to City Hall is the walkway for the Brooklyn Bridge so off I went to concur it! It's a really nice bridge to do at the end of the day because of the sunset and also (and more importantly) when you walk onto the bridge itself you are walking on a raised wooden platform which is heaven on your feet if you have been walking around all day.
After I had finished my walk across (and back) Brooklyn Bridge I decided to head home. On the way to the subway I passed some of the law courts.
Rule No13. Look up! Look up! Look up! All I can say again and again is, don't forget to look up....the work on some of the buildings in New York are amazing.
I spent some time with this cute little squirrel, I was able to get so close to him/her. I just love them. The poor little thing was panting so hard from the heat.
Rule No13: Get to know how the subway works, it can save you a lot of time getting around Manhattan. It's not that hard. Each of the different main lines are different colours, and have different route options (for that line) labelled in a coloured circle (ie the red line has 1, 2, 3, 4).
Under each station name there are tiny numbers displayed. This tells you what route number stops at that station. For example, if you look at Houstan Street on the Red Line you will see the numbers "1 and 9" under its name. That means only routes 1 and 9 on the red line stop at Houstan Street.
Ok back to my adventure....
I decided to walk down to the World Trade Centre because my legs needed a stretch. Even though it was yet another hot day that did not stop me. I walked all the way down to the end of 6th street. As I got closer towards downtown I passed a Fire station and up on the outside of the wall were approx. 12 plaqs, one for each fire fighter that lost their life on September 11. I decided not to take a photo of that out of respect for the living fire fighters inside. I did not want them to think that loosing their fellow workmates in such a horrific event was being turned into a tourist attraction.
One of the reasons why I wanted to go to Ground Zero was because when Bryan and I visited the site nearly 5 years ago, there was still a massive hole in the ground and not a lot of visible re-work. I am happy to report that the site has come on in leaps and bounds.
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| One of the buildings that make up the World Trade Centre |
The temporary memorial centre is definitely a sombre place, people were very quiet taking in the different accounts of what happened that day. You could listen to interview and read from information they had up on the walls.
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| These are personal belongings of the first fire chief that arrived on site. He was in the second tower when it came down. His body was never found. |
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| This miniature version of the Statue of Liberty was outside near the World Trade Centre. People stuck badges (of the different police and fire divisions that had lost someone) , mass cards, photos and flags onto it as a sign of remembrance for their missing loved ones. |
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| St Paul's |
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| St Paul's |
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| This little cemetery has some very old guests buried here. I found quite a few that were buried 60 years before Australia was even colonised (1788)! If you look in the background of this photo you can see the green/blue fence that marks the perimeter of the World Trade Centre. |
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| The Tribute Bell. This bell is run when terrorist events occur around the world as a sign of remembrance to those innocent people who have lost their lives. |
During the recovery phase of 9/11 St Paul's was used as the command post in managing the retrieval and removal of bodies and debris. For many of the Fire Fighters, Police and Ambulance personnel it also became a temporary refuge where after completing a 12 hour shift in "the Pitt" (as they called it) they would come into "St Pauls" to get some sleep on some cots that the Volunteers had set up.
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| A Fire Fighter's outfit left on one pew. The wooden pews were also used as beds. |
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| A very small amount of the tributes that once surrounded the World Trade Centre site. |
Now, looking at brighter memories, this little church had a name for itself long before 9/11. Some very important people came and attended service here. One person even on his inauguration day - George Washington.
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| George Washington Box - with the original chairs. |
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| Modern sculpture in City Hall Park. |
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| Another sculpture in City Hall Park |
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| Fountain in front of City Hall. The lights on the corner of the fountain are gas lanterns which are still running on gasoline today. |
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| A modern sculpture in front of City Hall. |
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| City Hall |
Right next to City Hall is the walkway for the Brooklyn Bridge so off I went to concur it! It's a really nice bridge to do at the end of the day because of the sunset and also (and more importantly) when you walk onto the bridge itself you are walking on a raised wooden platform which is heaven on your feet if you have been walking around all day.
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| The path onto Brooklyn Bridge. Both cyclists and pedestrians share the one access. |
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| Manhattan Bridge |
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| Under one of BB's pylons |
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| The raised wooden walkway - the traffic runs underneath to either side of the walkway. |
Rule No13. Look up! Look up! Look up! All I can say again and again is, don't forget to look up....the work on some of the buildings in New York are amazing.
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| The top of one of the law courts |
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| Another of the law courts - I think this one is the family law court |
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| This cute little squirrel found a cool spot next to the concrete and was resting there when I walked by. |
Monday, July 25, 2011
All I want is a coat hanger
When you move into a corporate apartment, there are a couple of hangers in the wardrobe (similar to hotels). So I decided to head off to one of my favourite stores "Bed, Bath and Beyond" (BBB) to buy some coat hangers. Now, the coat hangers the building had supplied us with were white so, to make it easy for us to identify which hangers were ours I thought ok, let's see if I could get some black hangers instead.
As I walked into (BBB) the wonderful cool air-conditioning hit my face and I am already excited about what I am going to discover. I get to the hanger section of the store and goodness me, there must be over 200 varieties of coat hangers available all displayed on this one huge wall. There were fat ones, skinny ones, wooden ones, ones that were for both skirts and shirts, ones that were for shirts only, pants only, metal ones and all different colours and textures. So what I thought would be a simple exercise, ended up taking over an hour and a half. I got so confused with all the different types of hangers I had to stop a few middle aged women and ask them what they were for! One woman looked at me as if I was from outer space! but once I told her that I was new to the country she explained what the different ones were for (not that it helped - in fact it added to the stressful situation). Who thought one could nearly have a panic attack over hangers.........well, in the end I went for these skinny plastic ones with rubber on the top. They're ok, but I think I will be going back to the basic plastic ones in the future.
As I walked into (BBB) the wonderful cool air-conditioning hit my face and I am already excited about what I am going to discover. I get to the hanger section of the store and goodness me, there must be over 200 varieties of coat hangers available all displayed on this one huge wall. There were fat ones, skinny ones, wooden ones, ones that were for both skirts and shirts, ones that were for shirts only, pants only, metal ones and all different colours and textures. So what I thought would be a simple exercise, ended up taking over an hour and a half. I got so confused with all the different types of hangers I had to stop a few middle aged women and ask them what they were for! One woman looked at me as if I was from outer space! but once I told her that I was new to the country she explained what the different ones were for (not that it helped - in fact it added to the stressful situation). Who thought one could nearly have a panic attack over hangers.........well, in the end I went for these skinny plastic ones with rubber on the top. They're ok, but I think I will be going back to the basic plastic ones in the future.
A Supermarket anyone?????
Ok, so here's the thing - I want to buy a few things for the apartment, things like dishwashing powder, food, toilet rolls, you know, all the basics.......well could anyone please tell me WHERE THE HELL I COULD FIND A SUPERMARKET IN THIS PLACE....I mean, come on! A city this big and they don't have supermarkets (I am talking about - in the heart of the city). They have grocery stores (where all they sell is food) but alas no supermarkets. Oh sorry, there is one place......an organic store but they are brands that I have never heard of and because it is a "green/organic" store everything is double in price.
So, to do the shopping I have to go to the grocery store then go to "Bed Bath and Beyond" for all other things like shampoo etc.......crazy huh!!!
The popular thing here is to do your grocery shopping online and have it delivered to your door. But you need to order a minimum of $30 worth of goods. That's great and all if you're organised, but when it comes to shopping I'm one of these people that pretty much visits the supermarket a couple of times a week........I kind a like going to the supermarket.....don't know why, considering I don't like cooking. I think it has something to do with looking at all the coloured packaging!!!!! I know - lock me up now!!! But if you can get yourself to a real American Supermarket you gotta do it. The amount of stuff they have is crazy! I would even go as far to say that I think American Supermarkets should be a recognised tourist attraction.
Anyway, getting back to my plight......
If you're visiting New York and are only going to be here for a short time there are mini convenience stores that do stock the basics.
Rule No12: Find out where your local CVS or Duane Reade store is. These stores are a combination of a pharmacy and convenience store. They are a god send. Some are even open 24 hours a day. Also if you get sick they may even have a nurse practitioner or doctor in the store. Don't forget those names "CVS" or "Duane Reade".
So, to do the shopping I have to go to the grocery store then go to "Bed Bath and Beyond" for all other things like shampoo etc.......crazy huh!!!
The popular thing here is to do your grocery shopping online and have it delivered to your door. But you need to order a minimum of $30 worth of goods. That's great and all if you're organised, but when it comes to shopping I'm one of these people that pretty much visits the supermarket a couple of times a week........I kind a like going to the supermarket.....don't know why, considering I don't like cooking. I think it has something to do with looking at all the coloured packaging!!!!! I know - lock me up now!!! But if you can get yourself to a real American Supermarket you gotta do it. The amount of stuff they have is crazy! I would even go as far to say that I think American Supermarkets should be a recognised tourist attraction.
Anyway, getting back to my plight......
If you're visiting New York and are only going to be here for a short time there are mini convenience stores that do stock the basics.
Rule No12: Find out where your local CVS or Duane Reade store is. These stores are a combination of a pharmacy and convenience store. They are a god send. Some are even open 24 hours a day. Also if you get sick they may even have a nurse practitioner or doctor in the store. Don't forget those names "CVS" or "Duane Reade".
Friday, July 22, 2011
Day 3 - Discover 5th Avenue and Central Park
What fun we had today. We walked one block across to 5th Avenue and took it all the way up to Central Park. It was an extremely hot day, hotter than yesterday. Bryan and I were sucking down the water.
The first place we went into was the Toy's R Us store at Times Square. It is so big it has a mini Ferris Wheel inside it. That's definitely one way to get you into a store - install a Ferris Wheel!!
We stayed in there for a few minutes enjoying the cool air-conditioning and watching the ride. Then headed out continuing our walk up Fifth Avenue.
In the heat and with the number of people, it took us a good while to get up to the exclusive part of town - I would say about an hour (we also stopped for a quick lunch). Be aware that the exclusive stores are not near Times Square. We went past SAKS Fifth Avenue, Trump Towers, Tiffany's and all the usual designer stores that you get on Castlereagh street but the designer stores here are 100 times the size of the stores in Sydney.
And no I did not go into any of them! How good am I? With the heat I looked like a train wreck and besides my goal for today was Central Park.
Now, Central Park is massive so if you want to see all of it, make sure you give yourself a good part of a day. Oh yeah- It makes our Centennial Park look like a tiny little back yard!
When we entered Central Park there was a street performance group doing dancing and acrobatics. They were really good and got the crowd involved in their performance.
After we finished watching the street performers we walked under the most lovely bridge (still within the park). The artwork was amazing. The ceiling was all done in tiles and the stone walls were painted frescos. Truly beautiful! What made it even more amazing was a violinist busker playing Pacabel's Canon. It was echoing through the walkway creating the most magical space.
Next we went passed the Boathouse. If you have seen the movie "The Ugly Truth" Katherine Heigl's sister (in the movie) wants to get married in the Boat House and this is the boat house they are referring to. You can hire boats and row around a small part of Central Park.
We then went into a section of the park called "The Rambles". It has this name because there are lots of curvy paths through a large section of woods or forest. It was so quiet in here you could barely hear the noise of the city.
As we were stumbling through "The Rambles" we came across "Belvedere Castle" a miniature castle that was built as a lookout across the park in 1869 and then in the early 1900's became a weather station.
We continued walking up to the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir (half way up the park) past the softball fields and basketball courts and decided we had enough for the day so we headed for the nearest subway for home.
The first place we went into was the Toy's R Us store at Times Square. It is so big it has a mini Ferris Wheel inside it. That's definitely one way to get you into a store - install a Ferris Wheel!!
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| Toy's R Us Ferris Wheel |
We stayed in there for a few minutes enjoying the cool air-conditioning and watching the ride. Then headed out continuing our walk up Fifth Avenue.
In the heat and with the number of people, it took us a good while to get up to the exclusive part of town - I would say about an hour (we also stopped for a quick lunch). Be aware that the exclusive stores are not near Times Square. We went past SAKS Fifth Avenue, Trump Towers, Tiffany's and all the usual designer stores that you get on Castlereagh street but the designer stores here are 100 times the size of the stores in Sydney.
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| How cool are these clutch hand bags - not that expensive just very ornate! |
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| Trump Tower and to the left of Trump Tower is Tiffany's |
Now, Central Park is massive so if you want to see all of it, make sure you give yourself a good part of a day. Oh yeah- It makes our Centennial Park look like a tiny little back yard!
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| There are lots of street artists (willing to draw your portrait) as you enter the park |
When we entered Central Park there was a street performance group doing dancing and acrobatics. They were really good and got the crowd involved in their performance.
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| Check out this guy flying through the air! |
After we finished watching the street performers we walked under the most lovely bridge (still within the park). The artwork was amazing. The ceiling was all done in tiles and the stone walls were painted frescos. Truly beautiful! What made it even more amazing was a violinist busker playing Pacabel's Canon. It was echoing through the walkway creating the most magical space.
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| A beautiful old carousel that has been restored which adults and children can ride. |
Next we went passed the Boathouse. If you have seen the movie "The Ugly Truth" Katherine Heigl's sister (in the movie) wants to get married in the Boat House and this is the boat house they are referring to. You can hire boats and row around a small part of Central Park.
We then went into a section of the park called "The Rambles". It has this name because there are lots of curvy paths through a large section of woods or forest. It was so quiet in here you could barely hear the noise of the city.
As we were stumbling through "The Rambles" we came across "Belvedere Castle" a miniature castle that was built as a lookout across the park in 1869 and then in the early 1900's became a weather station.
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| Belvedere Castle |
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| The city skyline from the top of Belvedere Castle |
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| Another view of the city skyline from the top of Belvedere Castle |
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| It's real! They do actually play basketball in the various courts around the city. I thought it was just a movie stunt! |
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| New York subway |
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| New York subway train |
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Day 2 - Discovering The High Line and Greenwich Village
Today was a really hot day, I would say it would have been around the high 30's (the start of a heatwave). But that did not stop Bryan and myself from exploring parts of the city. We started off and made our way to "The High Line". The "High Line" is a disused old railway track that the city has turned into a long narrow park. They have kept bits of the old train track but it is now a beautiful walk way. It's located on Manhattan's west side and runs from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to West 34th Street, between 10th & 11th Avenues. It's a great spot to also see the Hudson River. It's not one of the many main attractions of New York city but I think it should be.
We only did a small portion of "The High Line". We took the exit at the "Chelsea Markets". Oh what a place! I totally loved it. The Chelsea Markets is located on the boarder of the Chelsea area and the Meat Packing district. The markets are all these cool little stores (mainly food stores) that are in an old warehouse. The building has a really old industrial feel to it and they have some of the old large gas lanterns (that were used around the city) on display as you enter from the Hudson River end. What was crazy was that there was a little Aussie food store in there called "The Tuck Shop". They sold different types of sausage rolls, meat pies and lamingtons and the guy couldn't keep up with selling them. If I get home sick I'll know where to go!
Rule No7: If you love cupcakes you've got to come to New York. There are cup cake stores everywhere and they are all different. They are little works of art!
The Chelsea Markets are right underneath some of the "Googleplex NYC" so Bryan decided to take me in and show me where he sits. I did not take any photos in there because of security reasons......but I will say this, it is a pretty cool office space. Some of the meeting rooms are done up like small New York apartments. What I mean by that is, in one meeting room for example, they had cut an old iron cast 4 leg bath tub in half and made a two person seat out of it. Also around the walls there were decals of retro fridges, TVs etc. In one meeting room there was even a bike hanging from the wall.
Another lot of meeting rooms were done up like the theatre district - big heavy red curtains and a large black and white photo of a Broadway scene taking up a whole wall.
Next, Bryan took me through the Meat Packing district and I totally loved it. Old cobble stone roads and warehouses. I think I may have mentioned this before but New York has done a great job in preserving their old buildings. The Meat Packing district is known for it's cool and trendy restaurants. There is not much to see here but I have been told that this is the district to give your tastebuds a real treat.
We then ended up in Greenwich village a great district again lined with cobble stone roads but instead of trendy restaurants this area is known for its designer stores (it's a bit like double bay but trendier). We also went past the famous "Magnolia Bakery". This bakery is famous for their cup cakes and the way they do their icing. In the past have seen in cupcake cooking books a method of applying icing as "The Magnolia swirl" and did not realise it until I went into their bakery that it was this bakery that had started this icing application style, hence the name "Magnolia Swirl". I know what your thinking.......man you must be putting on the pounds with all these cupcakes.......but you'd be surprised Bryan and I did not have one single cup cake that day, in fact since arriving in the US I have only had ONE cupcake!!! :) .
It's also in this part of town where you will start to see Brownstones. It's like the city had it planned, every couple of streets there is a retail street full of little shops then all the other streets are quiet tree lined brown stones. You could spend hours walking up and down them just looking at how each brownstone has been decorated.
By this time Bryan and I were hungry and ready for some lunch, so what did I try????? New York style pizza. And oh what whopper slices they are. In the picture below check out the size of the pizza compared to my coke can.
Rule No8: If you like deep dish pizza go to Chicago. New York pizza generally comes in 3 flavours (Cheese, Pepperoni, Margarita) and is thin and crispy.
Rule No9: If you're like me and usually eat a pizza with a knife and fork, well it ain't gonna happen here. I nearly got RSI from trying to saw my way through this pizza piece! You have to pick it up with your fingers and eat it - that's why New York pizza has the large doughy end on the outside of the slice so you can hold it.
Was it flavoursome? It was ok, not like the gourmet pizzas we get at home but that may be just because of the chef (if you want to call him that) or it might be just the way New York pizza is - simple. For me the jury is still out on pizza. I'll need to try it again at another place to give you a true scientific, professional opinion! :)
Onto my next amazing discovery......
One of the things that I have really fallen in love with are these little public gardens that scattered around the city. If there is an unusual shaped piece of land where they have not been able to build on they have created a tiny public garden. Or in other cases they have re-claimed some sections of some the streets and turned them into tiny little rest areas with plants. It is really, really pretty and the wonderful thing is that people sit in them and read their books, meet up with friends whilst just outside the garden the cabs and cars go honking by. The city provides lovely outdoor furniture and on weekends it can be very difficult to get a seat. They are a real treasure.
Rule No10: Walking across the streets in NYC. You will see at most intersections zebra cross styled lines painted on the road - BEWARE!!!! This does not indicate that you have the right of way. But what I have found utterly fascinating is the way that New Yorkers just step out onto the road without looking and start crossing the road expecting the traffic to stop for them. I feel very sorry for the drivers! I must admit that this is one thing that I don't like - the lack of respect for road rules.
Rule No11: A lot of honking goes on in NYC. One strange instance is when people are walking across the road (when the signal says they have a right of way) if a car is waiting for the pedestrians to pass by the car behind the first car may honk! Crazy huh???!!! What's that first car going to do - run down the pedestrians just so it can get through the intersection????? Still haven't figured that one out. Another reason why there is a lot of honking is if taxi drivers are trying to get your attention. If you look like you need a cab the taxi will honk to get your attention. So be prepared for some honking!
We then decided to make our way back home via Washington Square park. Now this park has the famous Washington Arch in it. If you have seen "When Harry Met Sally" and at the beginning where Sally drops Harry off in New York city it is right in front of this arch.
As we got closer to the arch we could see a beautiful shiny black grand piano directly underneath it and anyone could go up and play on it for a donation. It was so great!
One of the last places we visited that day was the famous "Flatiron" building. What's it famous for? I honestly can't say but it is an awesome piece of architecture.
We bought ourselves an ice tea and sat down just outside of it (in a public garden) enjoying the sights and sounds of New York.
It wasn't until I got up after having my ice tea that I realised that we had walked for 6 hours straight. So we decided to call it a day. So we slowly hobbled the 3 blocks home and had a rest.
Later that night we went out to see "X-Men First Class" the movie. The cinema was up on 42nd street so we walked up enjoyed the movie and walked home. I am loving that we are in walking distance to everything.
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| On the way to "The High Line" - a car parking station. |
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| "The High Line" - running across the middle of the picture |
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| "The High Line" |
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| In some parts you can still see the old track |
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| Inside Chelsea Markets |
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| Now these are some cakes!!! |
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| How cool are these cupcakes! |
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| I couldn't stop snapping the cup cakes! |
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| My favourite by far are the penguins! |
The Chelsea Markets are right underneath some of the "Googleplex NYC" so Bryan decided to take me in and show me where he sits. I did not take any photos in there because of security reasons......but I will say this, it is a pretty cool office space. Some of the meeting rooms are done up like small New York apartments. What I mean by that is, in one meeting room for example, they had cut an old iron cast 4 leg bath tub in half and made a two person seat out of it. Also around the walls there were decals of retro fridges, TVs etc. In one meeting room there was even a bike hanging from the wall.
Another lot of meeting rooms were done up like the theatre district - big heavy red curtains and a large black and white photo of a Broadway scene taking up a whole wall.
Next, Bryan took me through the Meat Packing district and I totally loved it. Old cobble stone roads and warehouses. I think I may have mentioned this before but New York has done a great job in preserving their old buildings. The Meat Packing district is known for it's cool and trendy restaurants. There is not much to see here but I have been told that this is the district to give your tastebuds a real treat.
We then ended up in Greenwich village a great district again lined with cobble stone roads but instead of trendy restaurants this area is known for its designer stores (it's a bit like double bay but trendier). We also went past the famous "Magnolia Bakery". This bakery is famous for their cup cakes and the way they do their icing. In the past have seen in cupcake cooking books a method of applying icing as "The Magnolia swirl" and did not realise it until I went into their bakery that it was this bakery that had started this icing application style, hence the name "Magnolia Swirl". I know what your thinking.......man you must be putting on the pounds with all these cupcakes.......but you'd be surprised Bryan and I did not have one single cup cake that day, in fact since arriving in the US I have only had ONE cupcake!!! :) .
It's also in this part of town where you will start to see Brownstones. It's like the city had it planned, every couple of streets there is a retail street full of little shops then all the other streets are quiet tree lined brown stones. You could spend hours walking up and down them just looking at how each brownstone has been decorated.
By this time Bryan and I were hungry and ready for some lunch, so what did I try????? New York style pizza. And oh what whopper slices they are. In the picture below check out the size of the pizza compared to my coke can.
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| Now that's a slice of pizza! |
Rule No9: If you're like me and usually eat a pizza with a knife and fork, well it ain't gonna happen here. I nearly got RSI from trying to saw my way through this pizza piece! You have to pick it up with your fingers and eat it - that's why New York pizza has the large doughy end on the outside of the slice so you can hold it.
Was it flavoursome? It was ok, not like the gourmet pizzas we get at home but that may be just because of the chef (if you want to call him that) or it might be just the way New York pizza is - simple. For me the jury is still out on pizza. I'll need to try it again at another place to give you a true scientific, professional opinion! :)
Onto my next amazing discovery......
One of the things that I have really fallen in love with are these little public gardens that scattered around the city. If there is an unusual shaped piece of land where they have not been able to build on they have created a tiny public garden. Or in other cases they have re-claimed some sections of some the streets and turned them into tiny little rest areas with plants. It is really, really pretty and the wonderful thing is that people sit in them and read their books, meet up with friends whilst just outside the garden the cabs and cars go honking by. The city provides lovely outdoor furniture and on weekends it can be very difficult to get a seat. They are a real treasure.
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| One of the little gardens - the picture doesn't do it justice! |
Rule No11: A lot of honking goes on in NYC. One strange instance is when people are walking across the road (when the signal says they have a right of way) if a car is waiting for the pedestrians to pass by the car behind the first car may honk! Crazy huh???!!! What's that first car going to do - run down the pedestrians just so it can get through the intersection????? Still haven't figured that one out. Another reason why there is a lot of honking is if taxi drivers are trying to get your attention. If you look like you need a cab the taxi will honk to get your attention. So be prepared for some honking!
We then decided to make our way back home via Washington Square park. Now this park has the famous Washington Arch in it. If you have seen "When Harry Met Sally" and at the beginning where Sally drops Harry off in New York city it is right in front of this arch.
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| There was a sign up asking people not to play in the fountain - but on a hot summer's day even the adults were going in for a dabble. In the background the famous Washington Square arch. |
As we got closer to the arch we could see a beautiful shiny black grand piano directly underneath it and anyone could go up and play on it for a donation. It was so great!
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| Passers-by stopping and playing on the piano . |
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| The Flatiron Building |
It wasn't until I got up after having my ice tea that I realised that we had walked for 6 hours straight. So we decided to call it a day. So we slowly hobbled the 3 blocks home and had a rest.
Later that night we went out to see "X-Men First Class" the movie. The cinema was up on 42nd street so we walked up enjoyed the movie and walked home. I am loving that we are in walking distance to everything.
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