I realize our trip to the Big Apple is taking up a lot of words, it's a long read....but I won't apologize...you see at the end of the year we decided to have my blog to that date printed into a book. Turned out to be a nice thing, we think, to put aside for maybe a grandchild or two to read some time in the future. So I figure I might just as well include lengthy thoughts on our experiences, which you are free to read, skip or skim. Enjoy our pictures, or just wait for a shorter post.....meantime, hang on....here's more of wonderful New York City.
Back on the bus, we had a new guide, a gentleman about our age, funny and much more informative. When he found out where we are from, he talked a lot about the way it used to be here, lot of the clubs and restaurants he once visited. He is a history buff, partial to Teddy Roosevelt, and told us he once played the part of of that great man in a History Channel movie. He really looks the part!
When we asked about making it to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, he advised against trying it that
day, it would be pressing to try to make the last ferry, and would give very little time to really seeing it all. So we opted to leave that for another day.
One of the first sites that was significant to me was Carnegie Hall where my distant cousin and piano teacher, Olive Cox had one time played. A bit later, we saw Madison Square Garden, and childhood memories flooded back of my Grandmother, Mary Davis taking me on the bus to see the circus, the Greatest Show on Earth there, sometime in the 50’s. As we passed along, the guide told us of the impending closing of St. Vincent’s Hospital. He appeared to have some strong emotions about the closing, talking about the hospital’s history up to and including the many who had been taken there after September 11. He pointed out
the memorial of tiles at Greenwich and Seventh Ave. South which is said by some to be New York City’s last remaining spontaneous 9/11 memorial. There are hopes that these tiles will some day soon have a permanent home – safer and more secure than a chain link fence.
The tour took us past Chelsea, through the West Village, I believe that is where we saw the restaurant The Garage, recommended by our friend Bill for live jazz, (we hope to make it there next time), onto Bleecker Street, through Soho, Tribeca and we got off at the site of the World Trade Center in order to pay our respects.
On the way to the site, we passed a small jewelry store obviously having a sale. As we neared the door, a man stepped out the door and our eyes met. He walked over to us and said, “this is my store. I am liquidating.” We both tensed, preparing ourselves for the sales spiel, and ready to bolt. But that was not what he had on his mind. He proceeded to tell us he was originally from Nigeria (at least that is what we recall) and that he had married a woman from Georgia some twenty years ago. He had just read about a couple who were estranged, decided to try to work it out, and the husband ended up strangling his wife. He had picked us out of the crowd to discuss the state of affairs when one believes the best option is to kill, rather than just walk away. After a few minutes he asked me how long we had been married. When I replied 47 years, he gulped in surprise, and said there wasn’t much he could tell us. Then he gave Larry a business card, shook both our hands and we were off. I’d say “only in New York” but the truth is, we have had the strangest encounters in at least 5 countries. So maybe it’s “only on this planet” – but I doubt it.
I’d never seen the Twin Towers, but Lar had, in fact he had attended meetings in them. We joined many other
s who were walking around the area trying to get a sense of the scope of the tragedy, but there is little to see, as there are great barriers up surrounding the work area. But it seemed that we were not the only ones there simply wishing to pay homage to all of those innocents who lost their lives that terrible September day.
It was beginning to sprinkle, so we decided to get back to the tour bus stop and perhaps get an inside seat below. As we turned the corner, one of our busses was waiting and Lar approached the driver’s door to ask about inside seats. “Go back!” Extent of conversation. We were sitting up top, like it or not. Turned out it didn’t rain much, and while it was chilly, we were comfortable. One lady getting off at a stop said to me, “you are so smart! I am freezing!.” Glad again for the winter coat.
We drove through the financial district, along the seaport past China Town, Little Italy – the East Village, the United Nations – I’d hoped to get Lar there, too….got to be more trips to New York! … and finally we disembarked at Rockefeller Center, just about a block from the hotel. We stopped in a wine store for a bottle of wine for the evening and then went back to our room to freshen up.
That morning we had seen Heartland Brewery on the way to Time Square and had already
determined that was where we would eat dinner. Just a short walk from the hotel, it turned out to be a great choice. I had veggie casadias, and Lar had a burger. He also ordered a “Round the World” beer sampler. I had one of their ales. Good beer. So good, in fact, that Lar asked about buying some to take back to the hotel. Only came in ½ gallon bottles…..hmmmm…
.no problem! We got one. Our server could not have been more gracious nor more attentive, food was good, ambiance 
fun….absolutely worth a visit.
On the walk back to the hotel, we discovered that one of the giant buildings now stands in the spot where Toots Shore’s once stood. We were there many, many years ago when that was a real “happening” place….brought back memories….Lar had been in the city on business, my Mom had come to take care of the two older boys and I caught a bus to go up too. Since the room, Lar’s meals, etc., were paid for, it was a good way for two pretty broke people could take the trip. We saw Fiddler on Broadway, and
ate at Toot’s. Very cool.
Back in our room, Lar was carrying the ½ gallon of beer and said, “look, Pat might have a new baby, but I have one too!” I had to catch a picture of that! Also sent it to our kids!
When we asked about making it to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, he advised against trying it that
day, it would be pressing to try to make the last ferry, and would give very little time to really seeing it all. So we opted to leave that for another day.One of the first sites that was significant to me was Carnegie Hall where my distant cousin and piano teacher, Olive Cox had one time played. A bit later, we saw Madison Square Garden, and childhood memories flooded back of my Grandmother, Mary Davis taking me on the bus to see the circus, the Greatest Show on Earth there, sometime in the 50’s. As we passed along, the guide told us of the impending closing of St. Vincent’s Hospital. He appeared to have some strong emotions about the closing, talking about the hospital’s history up to and including the many who had been taken there after September 11. He pointed out
the memorial of tiles at Greenwich and Seventh Ave. South which is said by some to be New York City’s last remaining spontaneous 9/11 memorial. There are hopes that these tiles will some day soon have a permanent home – safer and more secure than a chain link fence.The tour took us past Chelsea, through the West Village, I believe that is where we saw the restaurant The Garage, recommended by our friend Bill for live jazz, (we hope to make it there next time), onto Bleecker Street, through Soho, Tribeca and we got off at the site of the World Trade Center in order to pay our respects.
On the way to the site, we passed a small jewelry store obviously having a sale. As we neared the door, a man stepped out the door and our eyes met. He walked over to us and said, “this is my store. I am liquidating.” We both tensed, preparing ourselves for the sales spiel, and ready to bolt. But that was not what he had on his mind. He proceeded to tell us he was originally from Nigeria (at least that is what we recall) and that he had married a woman from Georgia some twenty years ago. He had just read about a couple who were estranged, decided to try to work it out, and the husband ended up strangling his wife. He had picked us out of the crowd to discuss the state of affairs when one believes the best option is to kill, rather than just walk away. After a few minutes he asked me how long we had been married. When I replied 47 years, he gulped in surprise, and said there wasn’t much he could tell us. Then he gave Larry a business card, shook both our hands and we were off. I’d say “only in New York” but the truth is, we have had the strangest encounters in at least 5 countries. So maybe it’s “only on this planet” – but I doubt it.
I’d never seen the Twin Towers, but Lar had, in fact he had attended meetings in them. We joined many other
s who were walking around the area trying to get a sense of the scope of the tragedy, but there is little to see, as there are great barriers up surrounding the work area. But it seemed that we were not the only ones there simply wishing to pay homage to all of those innocents who lost their lives that terrible September day.It was beginning to sprinkle, so we decided to get back to the tour bus stop and perhaps get an inside seat below. As we turned the corner, one of our busses was waiting and Lar approached the driver’s door to ask about inside seats. “Go back!” Extent of conversation. We were sitting up top, like it or not. Turned out it didn’t rain much, and while it was chilly, we were comfortable. One lady getting off at a stop said to me, “you are so smart! I am freezing!.” Glad again for the winter coat.
We drove through the financial district, along the seaport past China Town, Little Italy – the East Village, the United Nations – I’d hoped to get Lar there, too….got to be more trips to New York! … and finally we disembarked at Rockefeller Center, just about a block from the hotel. We stopped in a wine store for a bottle of wine for the evening and then went back to our room to freshen up.
That morning we had seen Heartland Brewery on the way to Time Square and had already
determined that was where we would eat dinner. Just a short walk from the hotel, it turned out to be a great choice. I had veggie casadias, and Lar had a burger. He also ordered a “Round the World” beer sampler. I had one of their ales. Good beer. So good, in fact, that Lar asked about buying some to take back to the hotel. Only came in ½ gallon bottles…..hmmmm…
.no problem! We got one. Our server could not have been more gracious nor more attentive, food was good, ambiance 
fun….absolutely worth a visit.On the walk back to the hotel, we discovered that one of the giant buildings now stands in the spot where Toots Shore’s once stood. We were there many, many years ago when that was a real “happening” place….brought back memories….Lar had been in the city on business, my Mom had come to take care of the two older boys and I caught a bus to go up too. Since the room, Lar’s meals, etc., were paid for, it was a good way for two pretty broke people could take the trip. We saw Fiddler on Broadway, and
ate at Toot’s. Very cool.Back in our room, Lar was carrying the ½ gallon of beer and said, “look, Pat might have a new baby, but I have one too!” I had to catch a picture of that! Also sent it to our kids!
