Library New York City

The trip seems short as I watch the towns roll by. Most of the land is built upon, and what isn't -is cultivated and ordered. There is a quickening of the energy as we head towards the Big Apple. I am met at the station by a porter in uniform and gold buttons. The train service in the USA is comfortable and well organised. The Red Cap service helps with luggage and directions if requested. I've mastered the tipping system. I am guided thru the station to the taxis, and directions are given fo...

THE PLAN Staying at: Library Hotel, New York THE REALITY After a bit of breakfast we get the taxi to the airport. We ask the porter who will win the election and it is clear he doenst care and has no intention of voting. The driver doesn't say much but we still give a tip. David wonders if he spoke English. David tries a gumbo. It was OK in an airport food sort of way. We arrive at the airport early (again). After a shaky flight we find ourselves flying over manhattan and seeing the most amaz...

THE PLAN Staying at: Library Hotel, New York No plans for New York... let's see what happens. THE REALITY We head for the breakfast - very nice bread and cheese with some yoghurt and pastires as well. Very nice. The staff offer to move us to a slightly bigger room (either erotic room or fairytales) so we repack our stuff before heading to do the Circle line hop on hop off tour. The downtown loop is crazy busy so we go for the upper Manhattan loop and see Haarlan and central park; John Lennon'...

THE PLAN Staying at: Library Hotel, New York Perhaps a day trip out of the city? THE REALITY After breakfast we head back onto the circle line tour to do the lower Manhattan route. Its about 12pm by the time we get on the bus and we are back at the hotel by 3. David thinks Circle line should call the bus tour "wait a long time in a queue, hop on (but don't hop off because you wont get back on)". We find a local pizza place near 34th street and have lunch before heading to Macy's where David b...

THE PLAN Staying at: Library Hotel, New York No plans... anything could happen. The city doesn't sleep apparantly. THE REALITY Up at 8ish because David is getting grumpy with getting up later. We walk to blooming dates and call our parents (Michelle had some essential shopping questions to ask her mum and david called his dad while waiting for michelee to make the purchases). We walked up towards central park, stooping off at the tramway diner for lunch (a nice aubergine and tomato dish) befo...

THE PLAN Staying at: Library Hotel, New York Perhaps a picnic in Central Park? THE REALITY Breakfast at 9ish in the hotel again before we walk to Grand Central Station to see if we can get any better photos during the day. We head to Lindy's for a cheesecake and they give george a free mug. Michelle heads to see thefantastics while dived strolls down braodway to 30th street. David takes another few photos of the flatiron building (david's favourite) and discoveres a slightly dodgy bit of town...

THE PLAN Staying at: Library Hotel, New York May well be running out of cash by now. If only we'd won on the $100 slot machine in Vegas. At least we have breakfast included at the hotel (and Cheese and Biscuits in the afternoon). THE REALITY Weather takes a turn for the worst and after almost 4 weeks of sun we have a rainy and overcast day. Michelle goes to have her nails removed (it's a girl thing) while David and George walk around the city deciding where to go based on which of the pedestr...

THE PLAN Staying at: Library Hotel, New York Last full day in New York - must make the most of it. THE REALITY Lst full day in New York and we start packing. We hit the underground and head to battery park to go to the statue of liberty. On seeing the 2 hour queue to get on the statue of liberty/Ellis island tour, we opt for the free Statten island ferry instead. We get on the ferry at 11.25 and are back by 12.30. Some great views of the statue of liberty and manhatten but the bad weather aga...