New York Yankees

According to the American's they are the most free place on earth but they are also the most unfriendly and miserable. Thats howTuesday began.

After a very pricey breakfast at the hotel... we weren't expecting that for the little that was provided. We wanted to visit the Bronx.

After a asking a number of unfriendly New Yorkers which subway to take we finally resorted to walking back to the hotel for directions. Got out subway cars and was told by the assistant through the window to find the platform our selves its clearly marked. So Ok, we did. Hopped onto the subway... very dirty and smelly. Did you know that there are double the amount of rats than people in NY. Well, back to subject at hand. Very lovely lady on the train could see us quite lost and very nicely helped us find our way. There are good people in the NY then.

Off to Yankee Stadium it was. Bad timing as the Season was on and we were not allowed in. But managed to get a few souvenirs from the store.

 Then it was back to times square for tickets for "CHICAGO". I have been wanting to see the production forever. And it lived up to all expectation. It was Fantastic!

Screaming Freedom

Times square is exactly what you see in movies... Awesome! And 24 hours day it is buzzing with life! Lots of lights billboards and people!

All the Major stores are in Times Square. A Lot of Wanna-be artists are performing all around. But just the idea of being in Times Square in New York City is what got me.

Spent the day walking around, visited the Hershey's store and yes i bought the worlds biggest Hershey's chocolate bar.

Every Tourist has to visit the Statue of Liberty. So we took Miss Liberty (our ferry) to Ellis Island and then to Liberty Island. The entire trip was spent telling us about how America is the epitome of Freedom and that is what the country is founded on. Great!

But I must admit that Miss Liberty (the statue) is quite something. From ground to torch is 93 some odd meters and weight 225 tons. She is quite a sight. Unfortunately we couldn't up, bookings have to be done 2 months prior for security purposes. and that is another thing. Anywhere you go you have to pass through a rigid security check. Paranoid much?


From the Island there is a beautiful view of Manhattan... The pictures say it all.

Close to the port where you get the ferry is the financial disctirct. IN which the UN presides. Unfortunately no access to the UN as Genial Assembly was busy at work. But we did get to see the famous bull... Ever heard of the saying a Bull or Bare market... its after this famous guy....

 Then is was off to the famous 5th Avenue where all the big boys do there shopping. The infamous Trump Towers are also on 5th Venue with Armani, D&G, Gucci, and the most beautiful and most expensive jewelry....

SOHO

Sunday started off with our usual breakfast at StarBucks: yogurt with granola, breakfast Sandwiches and tea. Then went exploring in SOHO. South housten or SOHO is part of the fashion district where big brands with little boutiques ate scattered around in between little food delis, bistros and coffee shops. 

My Kinda place!

We visited Dean and Deluca a stunning deli with every food source you can think of. They had over 6 kinds of mushrooms- that says alot. 

Beautiful part of NYC with a real bohemian feel. Enjoyed the day shopping. Visited the Dash store, since my Kardashian mad cousins insisted I see what the rave was about- such an anti-climax! The store is full of very little clothes with huge price tags. Nothing out of the ordinary. 

The cost of living for an average American is rather cheap. Clothes are priced within the 20-80 dollar range ( which is like a shirt for about R50-R160) but because of the weakend rand everything including taxis are crazy expensive (7.50 per dollar) so a mere $20 is 140...

Quick rest sesh at the hotel and a plan of itineray

And then it's Times Square.. But first Grand Central Station

24 September 2011

5am start as jet lag kicked in...Finally caught the re-run of the UN general assembly.
Already America did not leave a great impression on me...

We stayed at the Manhattan Club on 56th street between Broadway and 7th Avenue. Loved it because it was so central. 7 blocks to time square, opposite Carnegie Hall and a few blocks from 5th Avenue


We had breakfast at Starbucks (which eventually became our daily routine). There is a real conveyor belt system going on there because people are constantly in a rush. and if you take more than 10 sec to place your order people serious start getting agro. Anyways after that enjoyed a breakfast sandwich and a granola yoghurt mix. Yum!

The plan of the day was to get a sense of our area and where all the places we wanted to visit were.  Maybe i should have explained before we stayed in Manhattan, Midtown New York. This is the theatre district.

Found a GAP around the corner and already did my first bit of New York Shopping. Blessed!

We decided to try the NY sight sight seeing tour to, again, familiarise ourselves with the city. Now the story of my life is that Murphy follows me wherever I go. We had the worst tour guide ever. Half of the questions i asked he couldn't give me an answer. He was crazy he would sit down and start swearing (silently) and pointing fingers. CRAZY i tell you!

We traveld around saw all the tourist sites like the Empire State Building, Ground Zero, Freedom Tower, Chrysler Building etc all from the bus. We stopped at Rockafellar Plaza. Awesome place. Finally got to eat an all american pretzel from Auntie Annies. I had the almond mom had the Jalepeno . Heaven Sent!

We then went to TOP OF THE ROCK (top of Rockefellar center). The centre started during the great depression. It grew and grew and grew and now houses one of America's largest media stations -NBC. The centre has some big name stores with an ice rink which is the place to be during the winter time. If you look at American movies each place is set at the Rockefellar centre. Beautiful View from the top... panoramic splendor of the "concrete Jungle".

Tomorrow is another day in the City

PS. Now I understand why American's are obese. Ordered a small meal from MCD's and it is equivalent to our large.