Donna and I have been together for 8 years and 80 days, give or take. In that time, we have never been together for vacation that lasted more than a few days. So our trip to New York was going to exciting no matter what happened. I want to start by saying that we only got into a fight once. We were both tired and cranky and it was early and we took the wrong subway train. Petty I know, but it resulted in a nice little spat. Anyway, that being said, the rest of the trip was awesome. I have decided to give you my account of the trip by ranking how much we liked certain things, rather than doing it in chronological order.
Famous hotel. The building is really impressive.
I just liked how the consulates are randomly placed around the city.
At night time, steam comes out from the ground. Not like a little, but a lot. And it smells.
Never saw Conan.
Ever wonder where all that textbook money goes?
Things to Do
#1 - A Broadway Show
This was probably number one on both our lists. We got in line at the TKTS booth to get discounted tickets just as the booth was opening and the line-up was pretty extensive already. We were trying to get tickets to a Sunday matinee and so didn't bother checking out the theaters themselves for discounts. We waited for about an hour and a half, and got good seats to our first choice, Mary Poppins. Lots of things were sold out or only single seats, so we were pretty happy with our luck. The line-up itself was cool too because you get to watch everyone pass through Time Square.
The play itself was really good and neither of us was disappointed (you know when you hype something up so much, sometimes expectations are too high? Not this time.) The theater was gorgeous (The Amsterdam) and the cast was good. Lots of kids, but they all seemed to enjoy it too. Do not buy any snacks there - I paid $3.50 for a package of Skittles, finish the lunch of street pretzel we had eaten while walking to the theater. We only had like 20 minutes from when we got our tickets to when the play started so we had to hurry. The pretzel was good though.
Highlight of the show was when Mary Poppins flew above the crowd over the mezzanine.
They like their signs big. Size does matter?
Waiting in line for tickets.
Inside the theater.
#2 - Times Square
Having been to Las Vegas, I thought I had seen lights and sounds and bustling people. Not even close. Donna says it is more like Hong Kong. Big signs blasting commercials and ads 24 hours a day. It was overwhelming, particularly to see it Saturday night when we first got there. A ton of stores, theaters and restaurants all crammed together. Disappointing to see the Olive Garden on the corner. The warm-up comedian at the Late Show summed it up best by saying "You don't come to New York to eat at the F%$*ing Olive Garden, that food is s@^$."
We went back to Time Square several times, and it was definitely better at night. More glamour and more people. Go during the day to get stuff done, but go at night to watch the scene.
Highlight was watching people get wedding photos done while waiting in line at the TKTS booth. Also, don't trust the Hershey's reader board to work... I paid to get a message put up and it never happened. I did get my money back.
Time Square at night. I have no idea how people take these pictures of themselves. Mine never turn out.
Bright Lights... Big City.
I had no idea this was a real company.
I always liked Smarties better.
Right in the middle of Time Square... and everyone was cheering. It was cool.
This was a big policeman.
#3 - St. Patrick's Day Parade
What do you get when you shut down 40ish bocks of 5th Avenue and stuff the sidewalks with millions of drunk people who want to be Irish (as well as a few who actually are Irish)? A good time, that's what. Didn't really think of it ahead of time, but I am totally glad we went. The other cool thing was that we really didn't have to get there super early to get a pretty spot (it is possible we got lucky). We stood right on the corner of 47th and 5th and had a great view. Lined-up behind us was about 5000-6000 fireman from all over the US. I am estimating, but they were like 8-10 across for about 7 or 8 blocks deep. That's a lot of firemen.
Also at the parade were a lot of ginger-haired supporters, many of whom were probably Irish. Parade organizers and Grand Marshals (yes the St. Paddy's Day Parade is so big there they need several Grand Marshals). We saw the mayor and his extremely robust security people, as well as a tone of marching bands and military groups. It was a ton of fun.
Highlight of the parade for me were the 4 people from Dublin standing beside us and the thousands of screaming women (both young and old) when the firemen walked by.
The Emerald Society Pipe Band (Irish Firefighters association of some kind)
Donna and the firemen.
#4 - Late Show David Letterman
When I got old enough to stay up and watch, there was only one late night TV show that was shown at the Wong house, and that was the Late Show with David Letterman (I was too young for Johnny Carson). My Dad hated Leno and so we always watched Letterman. The show is better in person than it is on TV, even when you get seated up in the balcony. The band is awesome and very sociable and all-in-all it was a great time. They actual play for the entire commercial break to keep you occupied. The worst part of it was the fact that Nicholas Cage was on. I don't like him much, not because he is a bad actor (which he is) but because I don't think he is very smart. There were several times when I think Letterman had to take a step back and dumb down his questions.
The theater is really neat too, and they do a god job of prepping you for what happens during the show and what they expect. Even if you don't go to the show, be sure to check-out the Hello Deli (see restaurant section).
The highlight of the show was seeing Dave come running out and hearing Alan Calder (the announcer) yell his name... just like the TV show.
The highlight of the show was seeing Dave come running out and hearing Alan Calder (the announcer) yell his name... just like the TV show.
#5 - Natural History Museum
I watched the movie "Night at the Museum" which was filmed at the American Museum of Natural History. Way cooler in real-life. Be prepared, some of the displays looked decidedly hokey, and others looked totally outdated (do we really need and Asian Peoples exhibit?) but lots of it was really good. The section on evolution and the history of ancient people was awesome and we could have spent much longer there. Donna really liked the section on where the Earth came from (including rocks and minerals) and the dinosaurs were really good too.
Be prepared for screaming hordes of children from schools if you go during the week, but you should definitely get there if you can. The new Space centre looked really good too, but we couldn't spend much time there and the planetarium is extra.
The highlight for me was probably seeing all the casts of famous human ancestors like the skeleton of "Lucy" and "Turkana Boy".
Look, I only way 6 hundredths of a pound... on Jupiter.
No evolutionary evidence at all.
Donna is exactly the same size as men born hundreds of thousands of years ago.
For all those creationists who don't believe in evolution.
Can you imagine this turtle crawling through your garden?
I am thinking that fishing was decidedly less popular when all the fish could eat you.
I love stegosaurus.
I had this guy as a Transformer. Can't remember the name though.
I think that people think that Mammoths and dinosaurs lived at the same time, because museums put there skeletons beside each other.
#6 - Staten Island Ferry
We did this at night, only because we weren't really sure if we were going to have time otherwise. It turned out to be a good idea, as the Statue of Liberty was lit-up nicely and the seeing the city come back into view from the return trip awesome at night time. I was hoping the ferry was going to go closer to Liberty Island so we could get a better view of the Statue, and it is something I might do next time, just to see it up close. Kinda romantic though at night time.
Highlight of the trip was was the crazy woman who on the ride back stood outside yelling obscenities at her friend for 5 minutes straight... even though her friend couldn't hear her. The only real time New Yorkers lived up to their reputation for foul mouths.
#7 - MOMA (Museum of Modern Art)
It might have been a better idea for us to go to a different art museum, like the Met or the Gugenhiem, but the MOMA was pretty good. Some of the more modern art (upside desks, bags that looked like garbage, a giant black square, a room with everything measured,...) was difficult for me to appreciate, mainly becuase I really didn't understand it, but the top floors with art from artists I had actually heard of was really good. Lots of nice impressionist stuff, and some really neat Piccasso's were worth the price of admission.
Highlight was the massive Monet that took up and entire room. Van Gogh's Starry Night was travelling... a little peeved at that.
Van Gogh I think.
Picasso, I am sure.
This giant Monet was one of the highlights of the trip for me.
# 8 - Little Italy
Pizza in Little Italy was good. Portions were huge. No sign of any Mafiaosos...
Not surprising...
#9 - Grand Central Station
I really wanted to see the inside, particularly since so many movies and books contain scenes at Grand Central. Incredably impressive architecture and design inside including a ton of marble. Looked just like the seen from the Untouchables.
#10 - Ground Zero/St. Paul's Chapel
Didn't really know what to expect when we got here. Ground Zero is just a big empty whole they are rebuilding, but the memorial at the Chapel was good. Glad I went, wouldn't go again.
Construction at the World Trade Centre Site.
#11 - Bryant Park
Nice park in the middle of the city, and again, many movies have been shot here. We really wanted to go and see the New York Central Library beside the park, but t never happened.
#12 - Chinatown
Apparently Chinatown is slowly taking over Little Italy. Retribution for the theft of Pasta all those years ago? Just kidding. Actually Chinatown was really spread out but Mott St. was prety cool and we ended up have dinner there one night. Definetly no shortage of people selling stuff (see Shopping on Canal St.)
#13 - Drive in New York
#13 - Drive in New York
You should do this... if you don't have a pre-existing heart condition. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, but there were a lot of cars, not many of them actually in the painted lanes for more than a minte at a time. And honking is a necessity.
The Lincoln Tunnel. Remember MIB?
Checking my pulse while driving on 42nd St. Yup, its fast.
Never actually saw this being enforced.
#14 - Diamond District
Donna wanted to see this. What is with women and diamonds? Actually, someone asked me if I was buying or selling. I assumed they meant diamonds.
#15 - The UN Building
Not actually ranked #15, but I forgot about it. The Holocaust Memorial was good but disturbing. People definetly should have given their heads a shake before doing that crap. Really tough security, which was to be expected. I guess we needed to get tour tickets before hand, becuase we weren't walking on to the next tour and we had to go home. Meh, too bad.
Just like the cartoons.
Our flag at the UN.
Places to Eat
Donna and I ate on the cheap for the most part. Breakfats in the moring was at a deli for the most part. Egg sandwiches and according to Donna the best oatmeal she ever ate... for only $2.00 too. Here are some highlights though.
#1 - The Hello Deli
The best sandwhich I have had in a long time. I ordered the Paul Shaffer (Chicken Cutlet, cheese, lettuce and tomato on a hogie). Rupert Jee himself served it to me. The entire place has seating for like 8 people. Super good food though. Would have been worth it even if the food was bad.
Delicious sandwich named after a Canadian no less.
#2 - Random Turkish Restaurant
The restaurant wasn't anything special, but we got to have dinner with my aunt and uncle and and my Mom's cousins. It was a really good night and everyone had a good time, whihc made the meal that much better.
(Left to Right) My Great Aunt Thelma and Uncle Jim, my Mom's cousins Helen and Joanne, her Daughter Sheri?? and her sister in-laws Kara and Teri. (Not sure on spelling)
Jim and Thelma with Donna and I back at their apartment.
At the restaurant.
#3 - Korean Food (Restaurant name only in Korean)
Probably the best meal we had based solely on the quality of food. Really good soup and stew and at ridiculously cheap prices.
Look at this spread for $20.00. Those crazy Koreans.
#4 - Street Food
I only ever ate off the street twice, but it all looked pretty good. The pretzel was delicious although way too much salt on it for my taste. The "Beef-on-a-stick" in China town was good too. I suppose we could have eaten at stalls more often, they are pretty much on every corner, but we didn't really go to New York to eat. New York Cheesecake might have been nice though.
#5 - Dean's
Local bistro just outside our hotel. Good fare at good prices. Ordered pasta family style for the two of us, which was a little different. Really good dessert... very tasty Napolean.
Places to Shop
We didn't do a lot o shopping, but the shopping we did do was I thought excellent. Haggles for things when we needed to and got some good buys elsewhere.
#1 - Canal St.
Went to shop along Canal St. twice. Donna was looking for some hand bags. The first day she hagled with a few guys on the street, getting yelled at by one guy (we left the area quickly, not wanting to cause an internation incident) but at the next corner she managed to get what I think was a good deal for a bag. The secnd day we went back, she decided to deal with a nice quiet Asian lady. Big mistake. The only time I felt a little terrified in New York. She took us to her "store" which was located behind a hidden door done 2 flights of stairs through guarded doors
and into a large spacious opening with many bags and women selling them. It was sketchy to say the least. She did buy a purse... mainly becuase I think we needed to leave with something to keep them happy. It helped that they were speaking in Chinese behind our backs and Donna could understand it. Anyway, a definete New York experience. I got a New York t-shirt... a must for any tourist.
#2 - Hershey Store
Donna and I both got personalized Kisses for people here and I purchased the readerboard message that didn't work there. Lots to buy if you have a sweet tooth.
#3 - NBC Store
If only I needed a ton of t-shirts that I was only going to were once. So many good things from many of my favourite shows (The Office, Seinfeld,...)
I never really talked about it, but the NBC store is at Rockefeller Center, along with quite a few other things.
The outdoor skating rinking at Rockefeller.
Crazy statue right beside the skating rink.
#4 - Crossings Premium Outlets
Same shops as everywhere else, but both Donna and I got some good deals. Many, many stores (100+)
So that was our trip. Too much fun to describe. You should go if you haven't been.
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