From the Battery to the Gallery

Finally!  We finally made it back up to New York and what a time we had.  So, we didn't actually go to battery park, nor did we visit any galleries... but I've always loved John Mayer's City Love, so who cares?

I've only visited the big apple once back in 2006 and I was immediately enamored with the city that never sleeps.  Being the busy vacationers that we are- Tory and I explored Central Park, swanky fifth avenue, the Financial District, Canal Street, Times Square, Rockefellar Plaza, Ellis Island,  the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Carnegie Deli, the UN, annnnd, the MoMA all in a matter of 4 jam-packed, action filled days. 

This time around, we ventured our way through NYC with some locals and viewed the city from a new perspective.  I will admit that this time around, I was a little less enamored with the glamour and more privy to the layer of filth that covers just about every inch of every surface.  Also covering most surfaces?  Graffiti.  And I never noticed all of the trash bags that lined the streets at night before this trip.  I don't know how I missed it all before, but having seen it this time around... I still love that city.  That filth and grime is the result of hundreds of years of hustle and bustle and American culture.  It may not be as clean as Washington or as asthetically pleasing to look at, but every one of those grimey old dirty buildings has so many stories from centuries of a changing city.  I think of all of the fascinating things that have happened in our nation's history and New York has been a major hub in all of it.  This is the only redeeming quality needed to make up for the yuckies if you ask me. 

Here are some of the highlights from NYC 2011:

10.  food, Food, FOOD!  So much tasty tasty!  Over the weekend we enjoyed bites from: Mason Jar, Rue 57, John's Pizzeria, and Dorian Cafe.  John's is the best slice I have ever had the pleasure of devouring.  Ever.

Brunch at Rue 57 on the corner of Avenue of the Americas

9.  World Trade Center Memorial.  Alex pulled off an incredible stunt and managed to get us passes to see the new Word Trade Center Memorial downtown less than 6 wks after it opened.  After seeing ground zero during my last trip in 2006, I can say that they have turned such a tragic, sorrowful place into a peaceful place of hope and reflection.  I was so happy to be able to pay respects at this memorial and to see the monstrous new tower they are building right next door.  It truly says something about the American resolve to see them erecting the new World Trade Center beside where the old ones used to stand.  We aren't afraid and we don't back down.

Stopped by to see the Bull while we were downtown!
Now surrounded by barricades because of the darn 99% ugh.

8. Getting in trouble at FAO Schwarz.  How is it even possible that among the chaos and madness of this ginormous toy store filled with millions of tots, 2 25 year old women get in trouble while playing with the babydolls.  I won't go into details, let's just say we were demonstrating exactly how NOT to handle an infant.

creepy.

7. Local Bars! After Pizza and lots and lots of red wine- we hit up The Globe in Gramercy for a fun night at a local 20's bar.  I was immediately impressed with the place upon finding out that it was originally a brothel/speakeasy during the prohibition era.  It had the coolest aluminum ceiling tiles and a kick-ask DJ.  Exactly where I wanted to be after I tried and tried and tried and tried unsuccessfully to hail a cab (see below).  There was quite a fantastic line outside when we got there, but after a little southern schmoozing with the bouncer... aka... talking to him until he was annoyed with us enough to let us in and get me out of his face.... we hit the bar and had a great night.  I was one of about 6 non brunettes, danced with a guy with purple shoes, and was Gina's personal protector, warding off unwanted male attention with the subtlety of a jackhammer.

6.  First NYC cab ride.  Not that this was particularly fun, but it surely was memorable.  Due to time constraints we took a cab from midtown to the World Trade Center Memorial.  Our last  visit to NYC, we stayed in a spot that allowed us to easily get around mostly by foot (we did a lot of walking)- only taking the subway once for our day downtown.  This time there was no avoiding the NYC cab situation.  We hopped in and I was in for the ride of my life.  I thought my driving capacities were becoming a little wreckless after spending far too many hours in my car each week but now I know that there is at least 1 worse driver in this world than me.  Later Saturday night, after a caraffe and a half of Shiraz, I insisted on hailing cabs for the 6 of us who were heading out of mid town for a fun bar hopping adventure.  Maybe Dave and Gina wanted to teach me a lesson because they took me to the exact location where I was sure to never ever flag down an empty cab: times square.  But boy, did I give it my best shot.  I was fully in the road, arms flailing, before the finally dragged me over to Port Authority where empty cabs were lined up and we hopped right in.  silly me. 

5.  Local "celebrities."  In only 2 short days we managed to witness not one but 2 film "crews" filming music videos or fan videos for international popstars.  By film crews, I mean probably someone's dad and their home video recorder and by music video I mean teeny-bopper lip syncing along to their recorded-in-the-bathroom single blasting from a boombox.  Weird, but true.  Twice.

4. Central Park Zoo!  Central Park is my fav place in the city.  T and I have strolled parts of it, but have never been to the zoo.  So after an exhausting day of zipping up and down town multiple times, we made a pit stop in a coffee shop that reminded me of the "YOU DID IT!  World's Best Cup of Coffee" Shop from Elf.  We grabbed a couple of warm beverages and headed over to the central park zoo which is aptly designed for you  to see lots of the highlights from the outside without actually having to pay to get in.  We picked a few benches by the sea lions, conveniently located right by the Delacourt Music Clock and just in the nick of time!  The clock struck 5 and around and around the creatures went.  Super cool but kind of creepy if youre anything like me and the image of animals taking part in human activities (in this case, playing instruments) gives you the heeby-jeebies.  What fun we had people (kid) watching and sipping our coffees and teas!

possibly the cutest picture ever.

3.  Photo-Ops with NYPD.  After dinner at John's we headed to Times Square so G, Tory, and I could look like some real-live tourists.  On the way there I ran into my crooner heart throb:

Tory referred to me as Amanda Connick, Jr. for at least half of the next day.

When we got to Times Square, we spotted a Korean Pop Star filming a fan video in which he stood in the middle of times square and korean girls walked in circles around him as he pointed to various parts of the surrounding area.  Weird.  But then we saw that line up of approximately 6 NYPD motorcycles with their human counterparts posing for pictures around them.  BINGO.  This was perhaps my lowest point of the weekend (other than busting out laughing at a photo of Tory and shattering the reverence at the World Trade Center Memorial... I felt like such an ass).  I first approached the police officers and complimented them on how much kinder and friendlier they are than DC cops.  He was very appreciative of the compliment and reminded me that those mean DC cops have a serious job with lots to protect.  Good point.  And then I asked him the following question:  "So do you guys come out here to pose for pictures with tourists?"  It was a complete and utter slip of the tongue.  I had no intention of it coming out the way it did.  I mean, just that afternoon I was paying my respects at ground zero, I know that the NYPD... any PD, really, has an important job that does not include posing for pictures in the description.  He actually laughed at me and said "no" and then all 6 motorcycles drove away.  I am one lucky girl, being that he could have found at least 1 reason to arrest me by that point I'm sure. 

Times Square

Stoked out of my mind, clearly.

2. Outer Borrough Crashing.  A.Mar's got himself some sweet digs in Long Island City, Queens.  Just a quick ride on the 7 and one stop later you're at Grand Central.  It was cool to have a quiet place to go "home" to in the city that never sleeps.  The Queens Waterfront and Gantry Plaza Park is literally in Alex's backyard and was a nice place to walk, get some FRESH air, and see a spectacular view of Manhattan, the Queensboro bridge, and the Pepsi Cola sign. Not to mention- it was a free floor to crash on in an outrageously expensive city.  Thanks BLAM!

Alex's apartment is to the left of the one on the background.  source

1.  Skipping on the bus passes and staying an extra 8 hours to take the 11:00pm Regional home to Union Station.  We arrived at 3:30 am, road the sketchiest, most expensive "taxi" home, and crasheddddddd the heck out... for 4 hours before getting up for work on Monday.  All worth it to spend a day, just like old times, lazing around, playing cards, and cooking dinner with great friends.


Autumn in New York- you were phenom.  Be back soon, can't wait to see the city in lights this December!