Last New York Days

Thursday

People and Traffic

The city is so busy with locals and tourists. Most people are going their way, just trying to get to their destination or work or meeting; we have never felt unsafe.

More bus riding. The traffic was bad today and the bus is beginning to tire everyone. Most days we leave at 10:00am and return back to camp around 11:00pm.

We toured Trinity Church.  Very interesting, especially the cemetery.  The earliest legible tombstone indicates the death of a boy in 1658.  The grave of Alexander Hamilton is also there.

Wall Street: The Dutch were among the first settlers to New York (which they called New Amsterdam).  They were afraid the Indians would get them so they built a wall. Later when the wall came down the street was named Wall Street. At least, we think that is what the tour guide said…… Sometime our head gets too full!!! Anyway, on the street they have sections inserted with the wall pieces.

Chelsea's Market

Chelsea Market was next. Then Trump Grill for dinner!  Trump Tower is next to Tiffany's so everyone got to go in and look at the jewelry.  I did not see any bags going out with purchases….

Broadway show was Les Miserables.  We are not huge fans of opera and had seen the movie, but did not like the movie that much.  But the Broadway production was fantastic. The talent of these performers amazes me. The theaters are small which surprised me, so most seats are good and ours were truly great.

While we ride the bus through town our guide shows us buildings and talks about the history of them and other things around.

 

Friday:

Today we rode the ferry over to Ellis Island and then to the Statue of Liberty. It is overwhelming to me to see what our forefathers went through to get to America. First and Second class people arriving by steamer ship got off and went their way. Only steerage had to go through Ellis. 

They were inspected for diseases and mental health so none of that would come into the country.

New friends from PA

The Statue was incredible as well. Do you know what is on the tablet she holds in her left arm?

We went to Ground Zero to see the reflecting pools.

Then to St Paul's church. St Paul's was the place George Washington went to to pray right after his inauguration. There was a replica of the bench he prayed on.

 It was also the place first responders went to to rest in between shifts cleaning up after the World Trade Center attacks.  At first they would sleep on the pews at the church, but then volunteers brought in cots, blankets, food, etc. It became a peaceful, restful place for them to go. The displays and pictures depicting this were so heartfelt and rich. Several people mentioned this affected them more emotionally than the reflecting pools. It is amazing what people will do for one another when the need arises.

Great Italian dinner and walking at an Italian street festival which just happened to be going on.  Good canoli's.

Saturday: Last day of tour

 Food first, of course, Hungarian Pastry Shop. Picture is of some of our group in front of shop.

Lunch was at Gray Papayas hot dog place. You get two hot dogs and choice of toppings. It comes with a papaya drink that is quite good. Then you go outside and stand around and eat. A New York experience. We eat, ride the bus, walk, eat, ride the bus, walk, eat. In between all of that our minds get filled with info, facts, sights. 

 We drove to Harlem and around Upper East Side. Then took a walk in Central Park.

 Visited St John's church.  It is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world.  After that we walked around Central Park. Late in afternoon we took a carriage ride through the park. Then had dinner at a Brazilian Restaurant. You go through salad line with mega choices. After you eat that you turn over a coaster from red to green and they begin to bring the meat! When the coaster is turned over to red they stop serving meat. Served on large skewers and sliced at your place. So many choices….

Dessert -of course….

We saw so many interesting places today - John Lennon's, Barbara Walters, Lauren Bacall's apartment buildings.

The city is so amazing and much to see and do. We are tired but sorry to go. A truly amazing week!!!!!

Good by New York