Lisa in New York Part III
This covers July 14-17.
Thursday July 14 - went to see Ground Zero in the afternoon. The thing that struck me the most was the size of the the WTC complex that was destroyed. The entire thing was almost like 2 large city blocks, and now its just a big hole with some construction (re-construction) starting to happen. No pictures, i didnt feel it was appropriate to take pictures of that area.
at night we went to the top of the Empire State Building. it was $14 per person, and we had to wait in lines forever. there's a huge line to get onto an elevator, but that only takes you to the 80th floor. then there's another line to get on an elevator to go to the 86th floor (where the observation deck is). The cool thing about the ESB observation deck is that you can go outside, unlike the Sears Tower or Hancock buildings in Chicago. I think its better to go at night (around sunset would be ideal) to see the lights of New York.
Monish and Lisa at the top of the Empire State Building
Late that night we were hungry and trying to find food in the UWS. But the kitchen was closed at midnight at a lot of the places we went to -- so much for the city that never sleeps. Luckily we ended up at this cool place called Northwest (appropos?) on 79th and Columbus. Food was good, and Lisa had her best Mojito of the trip, albeit at a cost of $10.
Friday July 15 - took the Staten Island Ferry to, well, Staten Island and wandered around for a bit. Staten Island is a more residential place than the rest of the city, and not particularly great to visit. We took the bus to South Beach in Staten Island. Ugh, what a nasty beach, junk was washing up on the shore from teh dirty harbor water. Definitely not recommended.
After Staten Island we wandered through Chinatown and downtown. Lisa completed her gift shopping there. Chinatown represents a lot of old-skool capitalism, everyone selling the same stuff, and its up to you, the customer, to haggle and find the best price. never, ever buy at the listed price, always haggle. reminded me a lot of some of the street vendors in India.
Ate dinner at this cafe called La Luna at the North End of Union Square. Its an outdoor cafe in a very beautiful setting.
Saturday July 16 - wandered through Brooklyn in the afternoon. Fulton St. Market and then near Prospect Park. I got my haircut (trimmed really) out in Brooklyn at this place called Jake's Barbershop at the corner of Washington and Bergen. An excellent job for only $10. planning to head back there in the future before i leave NYC.
In the evening we went to Tavern on the Green in Central Park. The dinner was great, and afterwards we went dancing in the outdoor dance area of the restaurant. There was a band playing a bunch of cover music, not that great, and in between sets the DJ was playing a lot of old music, like swing, big band, etc. There were quite a few old (like 60's and older) couples truly enjoying themselves out on the dance floor which was quite the heart-warming sight.
Monish and Lisa at the Tavern on the Green
Sunday July 17 - Lisa returned to Portland this day, so not much happened. Excitement of the day occured when the E train that we were on towards the airport was suddenly unable to continue due to "signal problems". We were diverted to the F train and then had to walk 4 blocks or so to get to the Airtrain to take us to JFK.
Thursday July 14 - went to see Ground Zero in the afternoon. The thing that struck me the most was the size of the the WTC complex that was destroyed. The entire thing was almost like 2 large city blocks, and now its just a big hole with some construction (re-construction) starting to happen. No pictures, i didnt feel it was appropriate to take pictures of that area.
at night we went to the top of the Empire State Building. it was $14 per person, and we had to wait in lines forever. there's a huge line to get onto an elevator, but that only takes you to the 80th floor. then there's another line to get on an elevator to go to the 86th floor (where the observation deck is). The cool thing about the ESB observation deck is that you can go outside, unlike the Sears Tower or Hancock buildings in Chicago. I think its better to go at night (around sunset would be ideal) to see the lights of New York.
Monish and Lisa at the top of the Empire State Building
Late that night we were hungry and trying to find food in the UWS. But the kitchen was closed at midnight at a lot of the places we went to -- so much for the city that never sleeps. Luckily we ended up at this cool place called Northwest (appropos?) on 79th and Columbus. Food was good, and Lisa had her best Mojito of the trip, albeit at a cost of $10.
Friday July 15 - took the Staten Island Ferry to, well, Staten Island and wandered around for a bit. Staten Island is a more residential place than the rest of the city, and not particularly great to visit. We took the bus to South Beach in Staten Island. Ugh, what a nasty beach, junk was washing up on the shore from teh dirty harbor water. Definitely not recommended.
After Staten Island we wandered through Chinatown and downtown. Lisa completed her gift shopping there. Chinatown represents a lot of old-skool capitalism, everyone selling the same stuff, and its up to you, the customer, to haggle and find the best price. never, ever buy at the listed price, always haggle. reminded me a lot of some of the street vendors in India.
Ate dinner at this cafe called La Luna at the North End of Union Square. Its an outdoor cafe in a very beautiful setting.
Saturday July 16 - wandered through Brooklyn in the afternoon. Fulton St. Market and then near Prospect Park. I got my haircut (trimmed really) out in Brooklyn at this place called Jake's Barbershop at the corner of Washington and Bergen. An excellent job for only $10. planning to head back there in the future before i leave NYC.
In the evening we went to Tavern on the Green in Central Park. The dinner was great, and afterwards we went dancing in the outdoor dance area of the restaurant. There was a band playing a bunch of cover music, not that great, and in between sets the DJ was playing a lot of old music, like swing, big band, etc. There were quite a few old (like 60's and older) couples truly enjoying themselves out on the dance floor which was quite the heart-warming sight.
Monish and Lisa at the Tavern on the Green
Sunday July 17 - Lisa returned to Portland this day, so not much happened. Excitement of the day occured when the E train that we were on towards the airport was suddenly unable to continue due to "signal problems". We were diverted to the F train and then had to walk 4 blocks or so to get to the Airtrain to take us to JFK.
posted by Monish at 8:00 AM
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