Friends of the Hi Line

Had a bit of a lazy start today and caught up on our laundry. It was funny getting the lift down to the basement to the laundry room, it felt very American!
After lunch in the apartment we decided to head over to see the High Line. We read about the High Line  before arriving in New York - It's a project funded  by donations and organised by two local architects; they completely transformed a former elevated freight railroad called the West Side Line (In lower west side of Manhattan), its now a public park.  Pretty cool park to have in your area! They also had these “viewing decks” where you can sit on benches and look down at the road and all the busy traffic whizzing by.

High Line in Chelsea

We then headed back over to Washington Square Gardens. I think it is quickly becoming one of our favourite chilling out spots. We went to the University Cafe for a couple of slices of pizzas and coffee, before settling on a bench to listen to the amazing piano man busker. I don’t think there is any tune this man can't play!

Washington Square Arch

Headed along Fifth Avenue and did a bit of shopping before heading back to the apartment for an early night – up early tomorrow to watch the New York Marathon!

Emily

You can always go...Downtown!

Took the Subway Downtown this morning (where all the lights are bright and the neon signs are pretty).

It felt like the coldest day in New York so far, so we decided to take a chilly one hour round trip to Staten Island! It was well worth it, to see the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan Skyline on the way back. Got some great photos and a short video (Arran’s hand nearly fell off, it was so cold up on deck!).

Had lunch in Hope Park before heading along Wall Street to see the Occupy Wall Street Demonstration. Not really sure what I was expecting, but it seemed a little small and unassuming in comparison to all the media coverage. Must have been around 40 people there, some with signs, others just sitting outside tents in silver Kit Kat wrappers keeping warm. We had a quick look round the camp, quite an impressive set up, they had a press & information tent with two guys typing away furiously on apple notebooks, i’m guessing churning out press releases (I don’t know if I could write press releases in those conditions!).

It certainly is!

We then headed over to Ground Zero and had a look at the new building in progress – One World Trade Center. Also had a quick look around St Pauls Chapel while we were there. It was used predominantly by the volunteers as a rest place during rescue shifts after 9/11.

The One World Trade Centre in progress.

Looking forward to heading back Downtown and visiting Brooklyn, sometime next week.

Emily

Spent some time in TIme Square

Did a bit of sightseeing today, mainly around Times Square. Bought some comedy tickets to a show at the Comic Strip, the ticket seller asked us if we had heard of a comedian called "Billy Connelly", apparently he was spotted by Woopi Glodberg in Comic Strip and it launched his career in the US. Looking forward to using those tickets sometime next week.

Found a  nice little Japanese bar in the East village last night, pretty cheap. Nice Japanese beer called Sapporo.

Catching the Staten Island ferry tomorrow and will have a look at the One World Trade Centre, and maybe see a bit of the Occupy Wall Street demo on the way back.

First day in the Big Apple!

Had a busy first day in NY, exploring the city and getting to grips with the blocks/streets/avenue system and zebra crossings (cars can still turn left onto crossings, even when you are mid crossing - hey I'm walking here!)

Took in an exhibition at the public library (beautiful building, amazing inside, see our pics!) and wandered around part of Central Park, before getting a quick bite to eat (one of the biggest cookies I have ever seen!).

Planning on heading to Greenwich Village tomorrow and hopefully trying a restaurant recommended to us by a new, New York friend! :)

One way both ways, means two ways.

 

 

 

Emily

Halloween in New York

Arrived safe and sound in New York and it's Halloween night. Oooooohhh!

It's been a very long 30 hour day and we've been awake for most of it, but the parade was too spooktacular to miss.

Scooby Doo gang at the New York Halloween Parade.

Arran