NYC (imported from Myspace)

NYC was great - we realy had a good vacation. It probably wasn't as great as Washington, DC was last year, but great all the same. I love going new places.
Lesson 1: Do not schedule long layovers in boring airpots, regardless of how much money you save. We had a three hour layover (not bad, normally) at the Orlando, airport. YUCK. I hated that airport - almost nothing to do, or nothing to look at. Give me Atlanta anytime.
We were thrilled with the cost-element of our trip - I continue to be thrilled with the deals that obtain. Going to NYC for a week for $1,000 is not a bad deal in my book. Not for airfare AND lodging. We booked our hotel in Queens, three blocks from the "7" train, which was great because we were able to escape the noise and crowds of the big city and yet we were only about ten minutes, tops into Times Square, without having to switch trains. The subway is GREAT and though some people don't like using it, I really enjoy it - someone drives me and I don't have to worry about parking, what more can you ask for? :)
Once we got to our hotel that night though - we ordered authentic Italian from a local restaurant that delivered. Oh my goodness.....Andy was in Heaven. ;)
Sunday we got up late and walked around Brooklyn - we ate brunch in a great little cafe, The Union Square Cafe, that had the best french toast I've ever had. I liked Brooklyn - though it was cold, the area had a welcoming feel to it. Lots of neat stores and a very cozy atmosphere - at least in the area we were in. A little later we went to the Brooklyn Tabernacle, which was a phenomenal experience, and one of the highlights of the trip for me. Ever since I read "Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire" several years back, I've had a real admiration for Jim Cymbala and the awesome work that is going on in that church. I really had to "get it together" because my emotions came close to getting the best of me when the worship service started. SO many people, of all colors singing and praising God together. Little, old white-haired white women standing next to a black man with dredlocks - both singing. I just loved it. I'm so sick of the homogenous worship that we experience week in and week out and it was refreshing to be in a place that was so vastly different. Praise songs blended with hymns and everyone sang together. Oh, such bliss.
That night we ate Asian Fusion, which I actually had never heard of until I read The Devil Wears Prada. It is actually food that comes from the regions where China meets up next to India. Very unique and delicious. The atmosphere was great, and I love asking the waitress to order something yummy on my behalf. Makes the meal interesting, and usually results in a great choice!
Monday we walked through Fifth Avenue and enjoyed looking at the city, but it was nasty and drizzly (hence the hood in my pics!). We took a respite in a Cajun eatery, The Delta Grill, for lunch and they had the best macaroni and cheese that I think I have ever had. I ordered "real" food, but I think I should have just ordered a second mac and cheese. We also *finally* found the Apple Store for Andy, which was neat because it was all glass and the actual store is located underground, you take a circular stairway downstairs, where you can test out about a million Apple products. After walking around Times Square we signed up for the obligatory bus tour, which we really didn't get to enjoy like we had hoped because of the weather, which was still on the gray, cold side. We took the uptown tour into the Upper East and West Side and Harlem, which was neat, except we didn't start until late and it started to get dark on us. Plus we got bad news about our little dog Walker while on this tour - it's always so hard to lose a pet......
Tuesday we slept in (again) and went back to downtown to eat breakfast at a great little dinner, The Andrews Cafe. Then we went back to the bus tour, braved the elements and sat on the upper level of the double-decker bus. The tour was very long, especially because of traffic, but it did a great job of letting you see the major sights and get more familiar with the neighborhoods. I've done bus tours in several cities now, Savannah, St. Augustine, DC, NYC and I really think that they are a great way to start a touring trip in order to familiarize yourself with the layout. Everytime we've taken one, it's led to our discovery of something we WANTED to do, but would have never known about except for the tour.
Wednesday I insisted on getting a *real* NYC bagel from a bagel shop - what a disappointment. The Italian lived up to its reputation, but the bagel was certainly lacking. Especially in comparison to Andy's berry yogurt muffin. Wow! But it was a good experience, nonetheless. We spent several hours at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which has been a dream ever since I read From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler in the 5th grade. (BTW- if you haven't read this, it is a GREAT read, even if it IS a kids book!) :) I liked seeing the portraits of George Washington that I have always seen in my textbooks in person......you can really appreciate them much better that way. My favorite was the GIGANTIC painting of George Washington crossing the Delaware. It is HUGE and very, very impressive in person. Definitely a highlight.
We also got some nuts and a hot dog from a street vendor - again, the hot dog did not live up to its reputation and my expectation.
Later that night, after a small disagreement over my cranky condition (from walking WAY more than I'm used to) Andy and I took the Staten Island Ferry roundtrip to get some great views of Manhatten and the Statue of Liberty at dusk. The lady was so beautiful and majestic all lit up - that was probably the single greatest sight. Made you proud of our nation, regardless of where we may be at present. Too bad the lighting was strange so I couldn't get a good picture at all. Very disappointed about that. But the ferry was Andy's idea, and the best one that we had while we were gone. You can't beat free for a pricetag, either. If you go to NYC - definitely do the ferry at dusk.
Thursday was our last day and we tried to make it full, but it being Thanksgiving and all, and besides our exhausted condition from all the walking we aren't used to doing, our bodies fought back as far as the tourist-ing was concerned. We slept in later than planned, but did make it to Columbus Circle by the time the Macy's Day Parade had begun. Took a while to get a spot where we could actually see, but man, was it worth it. The weather was (finally) beautiful, and t was a great thing to see 4-5 story balloons! The bands were neat also, and I felt like a kid! Andy enjoyed it too, which I think may have surprised him! If I ever go back, I will make sure to rent a hotel room that overlooks the parade route, at least for that one night - I was super jealous of those folks - they had it made! I guess they may have lost some of the experience by NOT having to fight the crowds though.....We then went out and bought our Thanksgiving Dinner from Boston Market and took it back to our hotel room because they had run out of utensils. So we ate dinner in our hotel room, on dessert-size paper plates. It's amazing how little food can fit on a plate that size! I discovered a new love of pupkin pie, which I could have lived without. I need another vice like I need the proverbial "hole in the head." We topped off Thanksgiving by going to see Beowulf in the IMAX at Lincoln Square, which was fun and escapist entertainment. We both enjoyed it.
We did a lot more, the Empire State Building, Macy's, Times Square, Grand Central Station, the subway, the historic Public Library and it was all wonderful. I could go on and continue writing a book, but I am tired and it is late. I recommend NYC for anyone at Thanksgiving - we had a marvelous time and now it is time to start planning the next getaway - hopefully to Vegas and the Grand Canyon in May! Yay!