Tuesday, September 12, 2006

...new york, new york

Here She is...Lady Liberty. Even after visiting Ellis Island, it is hard for someone like me, who has enjoyed the priveledge and freedom of this land, to imagine what the immigrants went through to get here. One third of the children died before they ever saw Her. Women and children flocked to this country, carrying a few items, sometimes with only the clothes on their backs. Men came in hopes of finding work and sending for their families. The pictures and journals at Ellis Island reflect not only the hardship of their journeys, but the hope and desperation of a new life. I am humbled at the strength and courage of the people who gave up everything they owned to find passage to a new beginning.
Times Square during the day and
Times Square at night. This place just bustles with activity and you can find the best hot dogs here!






















The entire Times Building is surrounded by these wonderful lights. I new I had to have this picture. I couldn't help thinking of the "Three Days of the Condor" scene where Redford threatens to turn his information over the Times...we were right there!

Of course, no trip to NY is complete without seeing Harlem and the Apollo!









This is Engine 54, right on the corner of our street, 48th Street and 8th Avenue. This engine was the second one to respond to the WTC on 9/11. There were 15 of 18 men on duty that day, and all responded. Not one firefighter made it home that night. They have a lovely display of their pictures on the wall (no pictures allowed.) You can see where family members bring little momentos to tack onto the wall. The men who man the station now are so very young. They would no more get back from a call, when another one would come in. They were constantly in and out of the station. Getting out and onto the street was a major accoplishment in my book. I think firefighters in NY are like their brothers all over the country; however, they certainly know the severe consequences of their jobs when they lost 343 men in just a few hours on 9/11. Dedication and pride at its best. Believe it or not, this was the part of the trip, seeing these men respond as often as they did, knowing their history and dedication, which moved me the most.

Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous. I actually thought it was Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons! They had one portion of the play where the Four Seasons made their debut on Bandstand. Overhead, you saw the actual footage of the film, below you saw the actors mimicking the movements exactly in sync. It was awesome!

What's a town without chocolate?


Flowers are the best bargain around and little shops are found on just about every street corner.


Our hotel, a lovely clean building and only a short walk to Times Square.


What a wonderful town!!! We're making plans to return already. I never dreamed I could possibly even like, let alone fall in love with a city. It is an amazing, delightful buffett of people, taxi cabs, hotels, ads, colors, sounds, smells and shopping. The town has more history than one can even imagine. From Lady Liberty, standing in the harbor, to its cornicopia of Broadway shows, it never stops. It is a city of people, people and more people. Over nine million. It has over 40,000 cops (more than the number of troops we have in Afghanistan.) The NYFD answers 300 fire calls a day. Amazing doesn't even begin to describe it.

And I got the answer to a most queried question....Who is buried in Grant's Tomb. Actually, it is General Grant and his wife, Julia.


3 comments:

I Think I've Gone Mad said...

You took some great pictures... Seems like when we go on vacation we never get any good photos... I love NY it was a fantastic and beautiful city to visit but no way I would live there... Million dollar homes are dumps and rent is about 3000 dollars for a studio apartment... Great place to visit but I like good ole Ohio to live in... Looks like you had a fantastic time. I'd love to go back... Glad you all made it back ok...

Skiingred said...

Cool photos! Can't wait to see your momentos and photos! Did you happen to get a Kate Spade or Prada knockoff for me???

Design Goddess said...

Sounds and looks like a great trip. I'd LOVE to go there sometime, but someone (ie skii) thinks it's too big and scary of a place to go! I never thought I'd see the day when she would be leery of going or doing most anything. She must be getting old! :)