Paying Our Respects to New York

We stopped at this Fire Station and read about the firemen who lost their lives during 9/11. We didn't actually stop at Ground Zero, which is something I had wanted to do just out of respect for the city we were visiting. The best we managed was a drive-by.

Paying Our Respects to New York

Shopping In Downtown New York

Shopping was FUN! We didn't buy much but we sure enjoyed looking around and poking into shops we've only ever heard of and many we've never heard of! I was amazed at all these antique sewing machines - hundreds of them - all over the walls of this clothing store.

I bought a couple of crocheted hats from a downtown corner street stall. The woman who sold them to me crocheted them herself 'with wool from Canada'! I told her I was going to take that wool right back home again. I'm glad I bought the hats because some days I needed them to keep my head warm.

Kevin bought socks at Bloomingdale's and Hannah got a new shade of lipstick. I tried a perfume.

Kevin had gone into some men's stores while Hannah and I were in the Women's J Crew store and we agreed to meet in half an hour on the corner. Hannah and I were waiting on the corner for Kevin and suddenly Hannah calls out, "Hey, Steve!". And there was a guy Hannah knows just walking down the street ... in downtown New York. How does THAT happen??!!

We laughed at their being a Home Depot in downtown New York! What the ... ???!!

Shopping In Downtown New York

Shopping

Hannah took us to some lovely little boutique shops - some of her favourites - in various parts of the city ... Soho, Chelsea, East Village, and more.

Shopping

Central Park with Bob and Betty

By the time we got to Central Park, Kevin's and my feet were a little tired and the wind had picked up. We were a bit chilled and we didn't have a lot of time. Hiking around Central Park at the time might not have been so pleasant considering its size and the chill in the air. The horses and buggies were all lined up at the entrance to the park and so I asked the driver at the front of the line about the cost and such and while Kevin and Hannah were talking it over, I asked the driver what his horse's name was. He said, "Betty". "What's your name?" I asked. "Bob", he said. Betty and Bob ... my parents' names! How crazy is that?! It was a sign and so we happily climbed into the carriage, pulled a warm, furry blanket over our laps and enjoyed the ride. It was perfect!

I can see that Central Park would be especially pretty with leaves on the trees. Another time I'd like to spend more time walking through the sculpture garden where there are many sculptures of well-known literary figures.

Central Park with Bob and Betty

On Our Way to Central Park

Hannah waiting for Kevin outside a bank with her Magnolia tea.

Some landmarks and interesting buildings.

On Our Way to Central Park

This Was Not Staged! Honest!

Really. Any intersection in Manhattan might look like this at any given time! I even cut off one of the cabs. You can see the corner of it's front bumper at the bottom left.

This Was Not Staged! Honest!

The Magnolia Bakery

The FAMOUS Magnolia Bakery. I had a pistachio cupcake and it truly was exceptional. The texture was fabulous ... so light. Very yummy! And, of course, I thought of Alexa and Chantelle when I was there. I wish they'd been there with us, too.

In the show, Sex and the City, Magnolia Bakery was the girls' favourite cupcake source.

The Magnolia Bakery

Enroute to Times Square

I loved looking up at all those tall buildings!

And that's a REAL Mini Cooper on the side of that building! FOR REAL!

Times Square is a mess of advertising and pigeons. And people!

Enroute to Times Square

A Shoe Shine in New York

Outside the library, Kevin and Hannah got their shoes shone while I took photos.

Here is a more complete view of the New York Public Library.

I was fascinated with this busy 5th Avenue intersection with a traffic cop directing traffic and the incredible number of yellow taxis that flowed by!

A Shoe Shine in New York