New York Day #6

On Tuesday we finally headed home. We had to wake up at 4:45am to catch a bus to the airport. It was a long hour bus ride and I was happy I actually got  a seat this time and that the bus got there at the exact same time as us; or else we would have had to wait another 15 min. We made it to the airport safely and everything was on time on the way back. We changed planes in Chicago again and made it home safe and sound.

My Most Memorable Moments:
* Seeing rats on the street
* Hearing more horns then I have ever heard in my life.
* Basking in the sun at the top of the rock
* The smell of Levans Bakery
* Walking in the pouring rain to get bagels
* Getting my arms closed in the subway doors and the man who came to my rescue.
* Getting lost in Harlem
* The peace of 911 memorial
* Taxi cabs every where
* The boys on the subway attempting to dance for money
* The amazing Artist on the Brooklyn Bridge
* The ladies from Texas we chatted with at the pizza place.
* Being groped by Woody and Mickey Mouse on the street
* The really tall guy in the mood elevator
* The New York Temple
* Sally and her love for Curious George, hello kitty and Thomas trains
* Getting to have a sleep over every night with a best friend.
* Never getting more lost in my whole life.
* The partless men at the MET
* The porta potty in central park
* The hilarious subway signs saying no pole dancing or clipping your nails.
* The most interesting, multicultural people ever
* Sitting up at night and chatting about what we will do the next day
* The Christmas trees in the flowerbeds
* Stepping outside of myself and doing something that was scary and amazing and wonderful.

New York day #5 part 2

We took the fairy to Staten Island. Then we waited and turned around and came back. It was really cool to see the statue of liberty and see how small it looks compared to the buildings. 

After our boat ride we headed to the Brooklyn Bridge.I don't know why but I pictured this so much different. It was small and narrow and nothing like the golden gate bridge. There was only one walking spot for there and back and one bike lane. If you stood to close to anywhere, someone would run you over. At the end of the bridge we went to Grimaldi's pizza which is supposed to be the best in New York. Again we got lost and again we had to wait forever. When we finally got in we had to sit really close to a couple of guys and it looked like we were on a date with them. It was weird. We split  cheese pizza. It was pretty good but I guarantee it would have tasted a whole lot better if I didn't have to pick off the cheese. I also heard the mob boss owner at one point say over the phone that he was going to stab someone in the eye with a pick ax. Welcome to New York!

Although this day was jammed packed and amazing and fun, I was also sick as a dog all day. My stomach was killing me and I was nauseous and miserable. I pushed through it knowing that it was our last day and a once in a life time trip. I think it was from eating so much food that I wasn't used to eating...or the hamburger. I made it through the day and I was so thankful. I wanted to cry knowing I had to walk all the way back across the bridge, to the Staten island ferry subway terminal, a 45 min subway ride and then walk another 14 blocks home. But I did it! Every step further was victory. We ended up walking over 12 miles that day. Which, normally I would have been fine but with my stomach bug I was operating on less then zero. By the time we got home we were DEAD.

New York Day # 5 part 1

This was our longest day yet. We started off taking the subway to the 911 memorial. It was definitely more emotional then either of us expected. It was a very reverent and somber place. To be standing in the spot and imagining what people went through at the time was more then I could handle. We decided not to do the guided tour. For one, because it was pricey, but also because we didn't want to be depressed. Its amazing how you can instantly picture how thousands of people could have died because there were so many people in a concentrated area. The tribute that they did to those fallen I beleive was inspired. It was beautiful and peacful and perfect.

 All of the firefighters who died. I could barely stand to look at it and still can't really.

 The names etched on the outside are in relation to where the people were in the building when they were to have thought died.

 The new Freedom Tower

They had really cool fire stations there.

New York pizza...mmm

We passed by the Trinity Church. It had this cemetery where some of the grave stones were from the 1600's. Alexander Hamilton is buried there. The first church was built in  1698. the first one burned in a fire and then 2 churches were later built in its place that were more structurally sound. The third one was built in 1846. The inside was beautiful and they still hold services there. We then stopped and got some roasted nuts from across the street. After that we headed to Wallstreet. 

Here we saw the New York stock exchange and Trump Tower. This was the cleanest part of the city. Maybe because it was the financial district, I am not sure. After that we headed back to board the Staten Island Ferry.

New York Day #4

 Sunday was our most laid back day. We were able to go to church I believe on the 4th floor of the temple. That day was their stake conference so we were able to see the pres. of the 70 and another area authority. It was very uplifting. Especially coming off from riding the subway to church. Afterwards we decided to walk around central park. But, because it was so windy and freezing and cold we didn't last long. We headed back home to snuggle, enjoy pot roast and potatoes and some yummy smores cookies from Joanna.

New York Day 3

On Saturday it poured on us so we decided to make it our museum day...and so did everyone else in NewYork. After eating a delicious bagel for the second time we took a bus to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It was packed with people and lots of interesting things. We didn't last too long there before we wanted fresh air. So instead of taking the bus back we decided to walk over to the Museum of Natural History. The lines we miles long out the door and we decided we didn't want to be stuck with a ton of people. We walked over to Shake Shack and to Levannes Bakery for a huge cookie.

We stood in line for about an hour. That seems to be the usual wait for anything there. There weren't any places to sit down so we ended up eating in the rain at a bus stop. I had my first hamburger in 4 years.  After eating yummy stuff we decided to go to China Town and get some stuff for the kiddos. This was such a bad idea. We hated it. I'm not sure if it was because it was raining or because every guy was staring us down or we felt like if we were going to be taken as sex slaves and sold this would be the place. But, it wasn't fun. Afterwards we were so happy to get back home. Unfortunately we didn't know that they do construction on the subways on the weekends. So the subway took us 3 stops passed ours. We ended up in spanish Harlem. About 2 miles out of the way, uphill, in the rain. But we made it backed and clocked another 10 mile day.