It's Saturday morning. The weather forecast isnt good. There is a BIG storm heading our way but at the moment it's very hot (and humid) and although there are a few clouds in the sky it looks like a good day to do the hop on/hop off bus tour of New York City.
We travel downtown past Madison Square Garden (home of the famous Wesminster Dog Show amongst other famous shows and expo's) towards the famous flat iron building. Once a skyscraper and initiated the whole idea that high building could not be made of concrete as they sunk with the weight!
Then onto Greenwich Village with streets that look like the classic walk-ups you see on TV and film with the stone staircase at the front and made of red brick. Very pretty actually, especially with the tree's lining them.
The next stop was onto Vesey Street - not a name that's familiar to most people I think but at the end of Vesey is Ground Zero - or what's left of the World Trade Centre. The events of 9/11 affected me deeply but going there didnt really move me. I suppose it's because it's now just
another building site. There is full activity going on as the site - with it's Freedom Tower - are being built. What I found more levelling (pardon the pun) was the unofficial memorial started by a local shop owner of putting ceramic tiles on a chain link fence and writing or drawing your message on it. This was real. The was peoples raw emotions.
Our next destination was to walk across Brooklyn Bridge. It's 125 this year . It's a cool mile across and was once the longest bridge in the world and we walked all the way over and back again. I think I now deserve lunch!
As we walked over Brooklyn Bridge I felt rain. We carried on to Wall Street and decided to go into Borders Book Shop and sit it out - thank God we did!! There was an amazing storm, it poured down, plus thunder and lightning. 45 minutes later it was sunny again - if still a bit humid.
After walking around Wall Street for a while we found a very authentic, American Deli. I had everything you could imagine, freshly baked pizza, an assortment of take-away style buffet (like chinese, italian, indian), coffee, chips, danishes, cakes, sandwiches and paninis - which is what we both had. It was the Cafe Plaza Deli and although definitely not haut cuisine it was a true, hard working, well stocked diner and I bet the people who look after our money in Wall Street frequent it all week!
We caught the bus back to Time Square and chilled out for an hour or so.
Alan then sprung a great surprise on me. He took me to Les Halles for dinner. Les Halles is owned by celebrity chef, TV star, author and Virtual Tourist member Anthony Bourdain. I've read most of his books, watched his TV shows avidly and even emailed him on Virtual Tourist. I also have his famous Recipe Book. The steaks were awesome, his fries are legendary and with his French background the menu is simple and short (unlike a lot of American eateries) but
spot on. The pate was to die for. It's noisy, very crowded and it's hot inside but totally worth going there. It was a really good experience.
winners for the workings groups - amazing! I spoke to someone who was there today and she described it as almost apocalyptic in the way that they told everyone to abandon the site! Luckily no dogs or people were seriously hurt and hopefully everyone had a safe trip home!
experience going over to Liberty Island and climbing up the stairs (all 156 of them!) inside the monument and looking out over the plinth and looking over at the stunning Manhattan skyline BUT I'd never do it again. It took the whole day to do this trip. The security is beyond belief, the time trying to board a ferry seems to last forever. It just seemed to be a day of standing in lines and being security checked. The strange thing is however that despite all this fuss and because the number of visitors is restricted, the island and the monument area felt pretty quiet and uncrowded - almost peaceful - apa
rt of course from the food halls where you can alway find a hoard of Americans!
- almost
french in it's tastes and presentation. It as superb. Alan had the most amazing pizza. Not your gloopy american pizza that's all dough but a wafer thin base with delicious toppings.
Future has gone as are many of the new rides I've not seen yet - the earthquake ride is harmed but thankfully not beyond repair.
another building site. There is full activity going on as the site - with it's Freedom Tower - are being built. What I found more levelling (pardon the pun) was the unofficial memorial started by a local shop owner of putting ceramic tiles on a chain link fence and writing or drawing your message on it. This was real. The was peoples raw emotions.
Our next destination was to walk across Brooklyn Bridge. It's 125 this year . It's a cool mile across and was once the longest bridge in the world and we walked all the way over and back again. I think I now deserve lunch!
spot on. The pate was to die for. It's noisy, very crowded and it's hot inside but totally worth going there. It was a really good experience.
- where we had a really nice salad and beer in the exact place that's frozen over every winter. The only thing that spoilt this was a brash, rude, idiot of an American (sadly just the kind of persona that we Brits often stereotypes Americans with ) who had cocktail sauce accidentally spilt on his shirt by a very busy bar tender. His rudeness was incredible - and he was actually at a business meal with a female guest - I bet she was impressed!! NOT!
We walked around a little to find our bearings then met up with friend and colleague, Dave Stumpf and had a wonderful meal, beer and gossip in Stout. A really good way to start the holiday off with. I had a steak salad and the meat was bearly cooked but so tender you didnt even need a knife to cut it - welcome to the US of A!
saying goes. I cried a tear of joy at Beejay's success and cried more than a tear of sadness at the fact that Harvey is on the sofa instead of on the show bench!
