Saturday, May 24, 2008

It's all about the FOOD







I am pretty sure this trip will be remembered by what food we were eating...or on the way to eating. Since Dan and Jennifer and Matt have arrived we have really been hitting the sights...and all the great restaurants in between. We set off to "see" the Empire state building, with no intention of going up. The line was only a half hour long, and we were told it can be up to 3 hours long so we decided this was a good sign and spent the money to do it. (This meant we had to forgo the planned shopping trip to Macys...perhaps next trip!!)We were all glad we did as the view was incredible. There is a much better appreciation for the massiveness of NY from way up top. Then it was off to The Museum of Modern Art, as Elisa had scored free tickets for us all. After that we got tickets to see Cry Baby, nominated for numerous Tony awards, and that was Greattttt. We hung out in Times Square, which is even better at night.



Yesterday was one long walking day. We visited the memorial at Ground Zero...then walked over the Brooklyn Bridge...that was fun as the day was finally hot and sunny. We ate pizza at "world famous" Grimaldi's and ice cream at the Brooklyn Ice Cream factory. Then Mike took us into Brooklyn Heights and we walked the promenade...overlooking the water and the Statue of Liberty in the background. Our feet were aching and most of us soaked them when we got back to the apartment. Mike and Elisa are incredible tour guides...I am constantly amazed at how well they know all about the city. Elisa is the Manhattan expert and Mike is your "go to" guy in Brooklyn.



Today we had to leave the apartment with Zoka and hang out in the park while their apt. was sprayed for bugs...part of normal living here, which is good because we have not noticed much in the way of creepy crawlers. We did see a Rat in the subway...that was exciting....but only the one, thank goodness. We went to a deli and got baguettes, cheese, meats, etc and had a picnic in the nice park near here. Then we headed off to take the Statin Island ferry which goes right past the statue of liberty...the sun was setting on the way back so it was beautiful. Then we went to China town for great Lemon Chicken...and on to Little Italy for fabulous desserts and a Limoncello toast...all so appropriate since we leave for BIG ITALY tomorrow. I cannot believe we have been here for a week and are leaving the country tomorrow...its been nearly 5 months in the planning and now we are almost there. Tomorrow we hope to hit a Laundromat and wash some clothes and then go to Central Park before our 10pm flight.



I probably will be writing next time from Italy...so until then...CIAO....and come back in a few days for some Italian pictures.

No comments: