When I arrived home from a cruise on the 3rd (yes, 15 days ago), Mister indicated that he wanted to go somewhere. The very next day, we had booked a trip to NYC and today we are off. Why NYC? Well, it's the Birthday Season for him and he's going home. You know - the kind of home that touches our heart as we started out there. We have five glorious days and, now, at the you know what of dawn - we are getting started. It's a quiet airport this early on a Sunday, but that's okay. Oh, maybe I should mention that at this point we only have $330 invested in the trip. BOTH flights on American (upgraded) and our hotel for the week (Marriott) have been paid in full along with insurance just in case. I am merely pointing this out because there are ways to travel on the cheap and live nice - ya just gotta play the games. The aforementioned dawn, is starting to show her face. We have a plane and a crew - life is good. Boarded and leaving just as the sun makes an appearance. Up, up, and away we go.
Mister promptly falls asleep and I put on a movie (Knives Out - love the mystery type movies) and order some coffee. Yummy coffee. Might as well be relaxed for the next 3 1/2 hours.
At some point, Mister wakes and points out the window to me. My next question is, "Where are we?" Valid, right?
A quick GPS gives us the information. Getting closer.
It is definitely interesting to watch the land change below.
And, then --- city appears. And really doesn't end. We are flying VERY low for some reason.
Manhattan comes into view --- yep, that's our destination, but we're still a couple of hours away from it.
Once landed ---- we have a trek to get out of the airport. Goodness, I love DFW. As we cross one bridge, I get my first true glimpse of the city. The pics above were out Mister's window and at an angle that I couldn't really see.
Into the lobby ---- how pretty is this?
At this point, the Q70, a free bus, takes us to the closest subway. One more mode of transportation and we'll be in downtown Manhattan. We've done automobile (our own), plane and bus so far --- the fun is just starting.
It is an elevated platform for the subway - how long do we have to wait? Turns out -- only about 5 minutes. Then we are away and we arrive four levels deep in Grand Central Station.
The hike out takes a bit and soon we are on the streets of Manhattan and walking to our room to check in, drop bags, clean up and start loving the city. We have a great little space (overlooking the road - my choice as I could have had a room higher up but staring at a brick wall) and I could not be happier. Embrace the city!! Let the joy in.
There was also a large closet that I didn't show. Okay, time to rock and roll.
One-half block from our room --- time to start looking up. That's where the incredible architecture and beauty are. Seriously. I LOVE the big buildings. The workmanship and details are always AMAZING at the top.
It's a bit chilly here, so we are bundled up and heading off to meet Mister's nephew, Bobby, for the evening. He has lived here for a few years now and loves it --- although the expenses are tough sometimes. First things first ---- I have to have something to eat as the hangries are taking over. First stop -- New York Hot Dog. Yep, happy girl.
Now, back into the subway we go. No, I won't show these after today --- it's still NEW. Hahahaha.
This is our stop and I had to take a picture of the sloth since I just held one in Honduras.
The front of said museum. It is not on my list this trip, but will be done next time. Do you remember the book I shared? Hmmm - maybe I'll share that pic again.
Okay - the book with my spots picked out. I'll remove tags as I go and show the book again at the end to see how we did. Of course, many things will be added as well as Mister has a list, too.
Meeting up with Bobby, we decide to stop for coffee and catch-up.
With a coffee and snack in the bellies, we are off to explore this area. He lives in the Upper West Side so I don't have a lot on my list for there. LOVE these apartments.
The brownstones are soooo cool.
One spot that is close to him is Central Park, and since I've never really explored it much, we're going to walk through. Central Park was officially opened in 1876. This carriage is right near what they call Strawberry Fields - Yoko Ono's tribute to her husband, John Lennon. There are always people there playing his songs and today is just the same. Central Park will always stay on my list because each time, one small area of it can be seen. This time, we are on the western edge.
The Lake. Yep, that's the name.
Carriage rides all around us. Perhaps that would be a fun way to see more of the park.
Looking down on Bethesda Fountain and Terrace. Being February, the fountain is not operating today and for some strange reason, people are climbing all over it for pictures. Very odd.
Would have been cool to photograph the fountain, but people were literally not moving away.
On the lake --- geese and ducks abound. It is just crazy to us that they quietly paddle around in the icy water. In the background is the Loeb Boathouse.
Looking away from the park.
Into the Ramble we go. It's wonderful with all the paths and twists and turns. After an hour or so of walking in the park, we exit near the museum again and head to Bob's apartment, with a stop at a flea market and then go up to visit and chat for awhile. He has a studio apartment that overlooks Columbus Avenue and is filled with shops and restaurants.
Time for dinner - we are off and I love the little add-ons that truly sit in the street. Another reason not to drive in NYC - roads are just not very wide anymore.
Dinner is at Shalel - going Mediterannean tonight. It is down below The Corcoran Group Building and has a funky side entrance.
Fabulous atmosphere! Truly. Mister's Old Fashioned and my Mule.
Baba ghanoush and warm pita to start. Yum!
Mister and I are splitting the Mixed Grill - beef kebab, chicken kebab, lamb merguez, basmati pilaf, roasted vegetables, tzatziki, and warm pita.
Bobby has the Lamb-on-the-Bone Tagine. Minced lamb, steamed couscous. chickpeas, seasonal vegetables.
Before we leave --- a quick peek around the restaurant finds a waterfall hidden in another room.
With many nooks and crannies filled with seating. I tried not to take pictures of where others were sitting so am limited to just a few.
At the end of the meal, good-byes are said and plans made for tomorrow night's dinner. At that point, it's back to the subway for us. This time of night on a Sunday finds Grand Central Station a bit more available for photography. I don't think it's every truly empty, but I was able to capture the beauty of it.
This place is amazing. Honest. A little history - in 1871, Cornelius Vanderbilt opened a railway station on 42nd Street. Although often revamped, it was never large enough and was finally demolished. Grand Central Terminal as we see it today opened in 1913.
There is an area known as The Whispering Gallery. If you stand near these arches and in opposite corners and talk quietly, the other person will hear you. Mister and I gave it a shot and it worked so well. Truly - no one heard us except each other and there were others around, even though the pictures don't really show that. It was fun and if you go there, give it a try. Pretty cool.
The area is right by the doors to the Oyster Bar. We went there last time, so it's not on the list for this trip.
Just pics of the station.
The main terminal. Sooooo cool, right?
Mister points out the Campbell Apartment entrance and mentions he wants to go there ---we'll fit it in - just not tonight.
LOOK at the tops of these - 3d sculptures.
Some final images for me to remember all of it. I truly love this train station.
And that's Day 1 --- We put in over 17,000 steps and walked almost 7 miles. I'm definitely ready for some sleep. See ya tomorrow.
When I arrived home from a cruise on the 3rd (yes, 15 days ago), Mister indicated that he wanted to go somewhere. The very next day, we had booked a trip to NYC and today we are off. Why NYC? Well, it's the Birthday Season for him and he's going home. You know - the kind of home that touches our heart as we started out there. We have five glorious days and, now, at the you know what of dawn - we are getting started. It's a quiet airport this early on a Sunday, but that's okay. Oh, maybe I should mention that at this point we only have $330 invested in the trip. BOTH flights on American (upgraded) and our hotel for the week (Marriott) have been paid in full along with insurance just in case. I am merely pointing this out because there are ways to travel on the cheap and live nice - ya just gotta play the games. The aforementioned dawn, is starting to show her face. We have a plane and a crew - life is good. Boarded and leaving just as the sun makes an appearance. Up, up, and away we go.
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