We took a large bite out of the Big Apple today.
We arrived at the cruise ship terminal in Brooklyn at 6 am, after squeezing under the Veranzo Narrows Bridge and passing by the Statue of Liberty at approximately 5:15 am. Many passengers set their alarm clocks so they could get up to photograph and see this magnificent sight that was still aglow in the dark. Michael was one of those people; I was not. I am mindful of the thousands of immigrants who first gazed upon that beacon of hope and landed at Ellis Island in preparation to enter America and become an American.
The day was warm, humid, and sunny, and I did not dress properly for the weather. It was shorts weather and I wore jeans. We spent the day exploring on our own. Our first stop was to Ground Zero. It is hard to believe it has been nine years since the World Trade Center buildings were destroyed. There was a tremendous amount of construction going on, with huge excavations, cranes, and steel framework for new buildings rising out of the hallowed ground. It was a somber time to reflect and say a prayer for those that lost their lives. We walked over to the proposed site for a Muslim mosque (it is very, very close to Ground Zero); the street is barricaded from car traffic and there are police and barriers posted around the building. There were police also posted all around the Ground Zero site and the nearby train station.
We then walked a few blocks to the subway. Going down the steps into the subway, it was very hot. We purchased our tickets from an automated machine (what would we do without machines that take your credit card – no human needed), scanned the ticket and walked through the revolving gate and got on the E train. I was surprised at how clean the car was, and thankfully, it was air conditioned. It was quite crowded with locals and tourists. I can only imagine what it is like during rush hour. We got off at 42nd Street, the heart of Times Square and all the theaters.
After a lunch of traditional New York style pizza, we walked down 8th Avenue, an extremely busy thoroughfare, that had been closed off to car traffic and found ourselves in the middle of a huge street fair. Prices for scarves, cell phone accessories, jewelry, hats, etc. were CHEAP. I bought a couple of Pashmina shawls for use on the ship. It’s not a Greenland sweatshirt …. (Sigh).
We finally made our way to the theater and enjoyed “Jersey Boys.” This is the music and story of Frankie Valli and the 4 Seasons. Excellent show. We have been so lucky this trip to actually see two wonderful Broadway shows.
We then strolled up to Central Park and wandered around to kill some time as our ship was moving from the Brooklyn pier to Manhattan and was not due to arrive until 8 pm.
By then, we were pretty much done for the day. Michael consulted the map and said it wasn’t a very far walk to the ship terminal. By this time, I am wearing out and I am hot and sweaty. Against my better instincts, I agreed to walk the “four” blocks to the ship. Hah, these were mega blocks. I do admit that most of the walk was down hill and I am proud of the fact I only groused about it once.
Our friends, Sam and Beverly, have joined us on this segment and we look forward to some fun times with them.
We arrived at the cruise ship terminal in Brooklyn at 6 am, after squeezing under the Veranzo Narrows Bridge and passing by the Statue of Liberty at approximately 5:15 am. Many passengers set their alarm clocks so they could get up to photograph and see this magnificent sight that was still aglow in the dark. Michael was one of those people; I was not. I am mindful of the thousands of immigrants who first gazed upon that beacon of hope and landed at Ellis Island in preparation to enter America and become an American. 
The day was warm, humid, and sunny, and I did not dress properly for the weather. It was shorts weather and I wore jeans. We spent the day exploring on our own. Our first stop was to Ground Zero. It is hard to believe it has been nine years since the World Trade Center buildings were destroyed. There was a tremendous amount of construction going on, with huge excavations, cranes, and steel framework for new buildings rising out of the hallowed ground. It was a somber time to reflect and say a prayer for those that lost their lives. We walked over to the proposed site for a Muslim mosque (it is very, very close to Ground Zero); the street is barricaded from car traffic and there are police and barriers posted around the building. There were police also posted all around the Ground Zero site and the nearby train station. We then walked a few blocks to the subway. Going down the steps into the subway, it was very hot. We purchased our tickets from an automated machine (what would we do without machines that take your credit card – no human needed), scanned the ticket and walked through the revolving gate and got on the E train. I was surprised at how clean the car was, and thankfully, it was air conditioned. It was quite crowded with locals and tourists. I can only imagine what it is like during rush hour. We got off at 42nd Street, the heart of Times Square and all the theaters.
After a lunch of traditional New York style pizza, we walked down 8th Avenue, an extremely busy thoroughfare, that had been closed off to car traffic and found ourselves in the middle of a huge street fair. Prices for scarves, cell phone accessories, jewelry, hats, etc. were CHEAP. I bought a couple of Pashmina shawls for use on the ship. It’s not a Greenland sweatshirt …. (Sigh).We finally made our way to the theater and enjoyed “Jersey Boys.” This is the music and story of Frankie Valli and the 4 Seasons. Excellent show. We have been so lucky this trip to actually see two wonderful Broadway shows.
We then strolled up to Central Park and wandered around to kill some time as our ship was moving from the Brooklyn pier to Manhattan and was not due to arrive until 8 pm.
By then, we were pretty much done for the day. Michael consulted the map and said it wasn’t a very far walk to the ship terminal. By this time, I am wearing out and I am hot and sweaty. Against my better instincts, I agreed to walk the “four” blocks to the ship. Hah, these were mega blocks. I do admit that most of the walk was down hill and I am proud of the fact I only groused about it once.
Our friends, Sam and Beverly, have joined us on this segment and we look forward to some fun times with them.
your a trooper ma, hang in there. before you know it the trip will be over so enjoy. (even with all the aches and pains). love you, deb
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