Daily Archives: September 28, 2015

New York, New York State, USA

New York City NY Day 22 of 43 Part 2

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The Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty

We arrived by train the day before yesterday and walked the 4 blocks from Penn Station to our hotel on 37th St.  By the time we had arrived we knew we had too much stuff, but what can you do – if it fits in the bags it comes for the ride. The traffic for a Friday was what we expected.  Only that is not true – I had no idea what I was expecting, and so I enjoyed every aspect of the scene.  Even the grime, the aged tiles in the station, and the homeless pregnant girl on our corner.

The noise was an assault on the ears but, at the same time, exhilarating.  I know this place has been done to death in movies for decades but the reality is different, yet not. I am enjoying the constant noise, split between muffled sounds that filter through the thick glass in our room, past the double blinds and my ear plugs.  Actually its not noisy in our room.  We hear sirens , but 8 floors up we are off the street, well and truly – as my mother would say.

Our balcony, 8th floor West 37th
Our balcony, 8th floor West 37th
The stations in the train. Gotta get the right one though. Got jumpy and lept off one train and bak on again when we checked - we did go to the front of the train after consultation with a guard.
The stations in the train. Gotta get the right one though. Got jumpy and leapt off one train and back on again when we checked – we did go to the front of the train after consultation with a guard.
We had to catch the blue line A C E
We had to catch the blue line A C or E

We went back to Penn Station and headed to Lower Manhattan to the Financial District towards the 9/11 Memorial.  Very confronting and saddening.  I looked at the pictures of some of the people who had died and their employers were listed on screens near one of the memorial pools. We signed the wall in the street along with thousands of others. I took a photo.

We signed the wall near the Memorial
We signed the wall near the Memorial

We then walked to a new shopping centre called Brookfield something and on our way we passed thousands of runners who had been involved in a Tunnel to Bridge run.  Every type of personnell were represented. Firies, Nurses, Police, Army, etc It was amazing!

New York's Finest
New York’s Finest

After this photo we went to the new Westfield where “millions have been spent on it” We saw three coloured polished marble tiles and sweeping stairs.  There were about 15-20 metre tall living palms too, inside the centre. Beautiful.

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Hotdog Vendor.

After our snacks with a view of the water – we headed to Wall St, then the Bull and then to Staten Island and back.

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<–The street names make you smile.

Dont know if I will eat the offerings here but one could I’m sure.

The little bull with the Big Bull.—>

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Wall Street
Boston, USA

Boston, who knows what day of 43 – WE’RE Up to; Day 22 Part 1

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The days have gone so fast and we have packed in a lot.  I LOVE Boston.  I would love to spend much more time here.  We have been on the 8th floor of Lowes Hotel for 3 nights and enjoyed the quiet and view from our corner room. The staff  is  friendly, helpful and knowledgeable, and extremely efficient. We asked for a place for breakfast as it was not included in our room price. So the Concierge recommended a place for us that was not fancy but good food. Billy’s Cafe in Berkeley. A regular haunt for first responders. They line up daily. The food is great and the prices good. The down to earth tables and chairs are functional and not there to be a fashion statement. Very real and unpretetious. Loved it – went for breakfast three days in a row!!

The location of the hotel was fantastic, near Back Bay station and Arlington subway station. The Boston Common was not far away and a welcome oasis teaming with squirrels and geese. Cool and quiet, right in the centre of the downtown area. Beautiful.

We went to the ticket place for the Hop on Hop off bus for today and, yesterday and then sat in the park – or the Boston Common and just relaxed.

We were just sitting quietly enjoying the peace and suddenly from above a  horse chestnut, almost hit us.  The little beastie was covered in a green spiky covering and when it hit the ground, it split open and a horse chestnut was revealed.  A beautiful glistening object which could really hurt if it landed on you, I suspect.

A8HEKA Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum)
Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum)

We spent most of the day getting on and off the Hop on Hop off bus.  The city is full of beautiful architecture and thoughtful spaces.

Interesting architecture
Interesting architecture

We also went to Fenway Park one of only two baseball stadiums which have remained the same for years – well there has been some change I am sure but in general it’s still as it was.  Very cool.

The whole atmosphere of the game was great.  There were food sellers who walked continually up and down the aisles.  The music between each hit. The singing – orchestrated by the announcer – now lets all stand up and stretch and sing – “Lets all  go to the ball game” So we did. It was terrific to be part of such an American tradition.

After the game we went to the “first timers” room and were given badges and merchandise.
We also went to the Merch store and I bought some Red Sox socks.

Back alleys
Back alleys
Its a strike!
Its a strike!