Five days and many miles walking in NY

Once unpacked we head out to see what’s in the vicinity during the evening. Past the Rockefeller Centre and it’s ice rink. Watched the Christmas light show on Saks 5th Ave. All the windows have scenes from Frozen, the film. Found a liquor store and purchased Wine $26.99 for 1.5lt, but the packet of crisps to go with it was $6.75

Then we went to time square to hunt out a Mexican restaurant. Taco 2. But after an hour looking fo it, we gave up and had a wrap at Mac Donalds.

Walked back through the Christmas market. Never seen anything like it in my life. Mind blowing in its design , styling, variety and class. Not a typical gluvwein and bradvurst event.

27th November Wednesday 

Breakfast over the road, $7.50 and $ 15 for lunch of a sandwich with fruit juice. Can’t be bad.

We walked to Time Sq and eventually found the tour bus and headed South for Wall Street. It was so cold on the open topped bus my whole body froze, especially the digits. The bus had seen better days, but you didn’t notice too much about the bus as exposure and hypothermia took hold. 

A group of British women got on board, then half of them decided against it. At which point a full blown shouting match took place between the two parties, with my head only a foot away from the lead vocalist. And here is me thinking that fisherwomen wore blue overalls and white wellies.  It was then impossible to hear the commentary due to the volume of conversation from the women behind, who where only intent on using the bus to get to Wall Street to enable them to get to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. 

Pity they didn’t visit it prior to coming to NY. In the older days they would have been refused entry.

Jumped off the bus near Wall Street, with the driver who was sullen and unkempt pushing a cardboard box in front of my nose for a tip. Tips are for service, No service or politeness No tip. 

Headed for Wall Street, which is now under heavy security, then down to the charging Bull sculpture. Judith persuaded me to stroke the bulls balls, it was surprised to bring me luck. The only thing l wished for was for Judith to quickly take the picture.

Then onto Battery Park. The launch pad for Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. It was bombed out with tourists, mainly Brits, Chineses and Japanese. We had seen it before, so we walked on hugging the river. 

Needed to use the toilet, but my fingers were so cold l couldn’t fasten my fly buttons up. Spent ages trying, but eventually gave up. Fortunately my coat covered up my embarrassment.

Came across a memorial for the merchant seamen during Wll. According to the literature displayed, it recreates a scene of seamen clinging onto the wreck after being sunk by a submarine. It was inspired by checking photos from archives. From all accounts, the German submariners would take photos of the drowning sailers for their record. Rather macabre. 

Followed the esplanade up to the harbour and ferry terminal, only to find a big shopping centre. Eagerly took the initiative to get warm and have our sandwich lunch and a large rich roasted coffee. Not to drink, just to defrost my fingers.

After an hour l was able to feel my finger tips, go to the loo and make myself tidy and ship

Crossed West St to the 9/11 memorial and the new world trade centre. The memorial is outstanding beautiful. A cascade of water continually pouring into a never ending void. All the victims names are etched into the rim of the two pools. What is more moving are the odd flower that has been placed on some of the names. We read later that the guardians of the memorial place a rose on the victims name on their birthdate. Tears flowed when we read this. It was so emotional. 

The design of the new trade centre was so futuristic, light and airy. And once again bombed out. But then again, it is the start of the holidays.

From here we took a slow walk home, stopping at the odd shop. Bought some healthy food for breakfast tomorrow. Porridge, blueberries and yoghurt.

Then we tried to find the Taco place in Time Square.