New York City

ASHRAE was held in NewYork City this year so Monte and I took the opportunity to go on a holiday together…which meant Monte was at the ASHRAE show during the day while I toured around by myself.  We did have half a day before the show started and then stayed an extra day to see some sights together.

I was ready to fly back as soon as I got there.  We arrived Sunday night very hungry.  We checked into our motel then walked towards Time Square to find something to eat.  Weekends are not a great time to be at Time Square.  I don't enjoy the "carnival" atmosphere but luckily it was much better through the week.  Walking up the crowded streets was crazy … I have no clue how more people aren't run over they don't seem to mind the traffic lights.  Walking up the street to Time Square I stepped off a curb to cross the street … along with several other people … there were pigeons walking in the gutters … one of those birds flew up into my face.  I flapped my hands trying to get it away … luckily by some miracle it never touched me … Monte was a couple steps ahead of me and didn't see it but people coming the other direction saw and were kind enough to ask if I was ok.  Welcome to New York! 

Monte had a couple meetings Monday morning then we were able to do some wandering around.  We walked for miles and miles.  The weather went from chilly but bearably to a blizzard and freezing temps on Tuesday.  I drank way too much Hot Chocolate over the course of the week. Luckily there were Starbucks every 3 feet it seemed like.

Very grainy but we're taking the pic using the reflection in the glass at the top of the empire state building.  After the sun went down it got even chillier…then up on the empire state building in the wind it was Cold!

Tuesday I hopped the subway and found the temple.  It was an answer to pray to climb out of the subway and see the temple on my left.  

The subway… a break from the cold wind … not that it was hot down there.  It is amazing to think this runs under the city of New York.  Our motel was a block from Penn Station … I never got on the subway there but got off there often … not once did I come out the same exit.  I even came across a huge food court place but for the life of me could not re-find it to show Monte.  Hence the reason I always got on at a different more simple to follow stop.

I'm Canadian and used to cold weather but it really hard to take in the city when it was this cold and snowy.  This is Tuesday morning at the temple…it continued to snow most of the day.

The temple is on the 4th floor (if I remember correctly).  I believe the 3rd floor was for church.  The endowment room wasn't big only seating for 40 ish.

Wednesday wasn't snowing but  there was a beautiful clear blue sky … unfortunately it was well below freezing.  I'd walk around outside 'til my fingers and toes were froze then would find a place to go in and thaw a little.  This escalator is in the Macy's on 49th St.  I can't remember how many floors it was 9 or more and there were these wooden escalators on several floors.

This little place is Chelsea's Market.  You enter on ground level but it goes underground.  There were some neat architecture and fun shops.  I found a yummy crepe place … I'd been wanting crepes for breakfast all week. 

All kinds of spices and tea's.

From Chelsea Market I wandered up the Hudson River.  If you squint at the picture below you can see the Statue of Liberty.  I walked as far as I could without my fingers falling off.  Don't let the clear blue sky deceive you … there was no warmth in the sun.

Headed up a cute street to find my beloved subway to warm up in the motel for a bit.  Not sure I could enjoy living here but it would be fun for awhile.

Monte and I had Friday to do some sightseeing together.  We got up early and walked by the Today Show.  Not many spectators this morning.

I took Monte to see the temple and walked to Central Park again.  The temple is just a block away from this huge park in the middle of the city.

Memorial

New world trade building

We rode the subway down to the World Trade Center Memorial.  The security was pretty intense.  Unfortunately it was so cold we couldn't spend a lot of time.  It's mind boggling to think what was there and to see what's built around those two towers.  The "chopper" was made by the guys on the TV show … that makes choppers.

I took Monte to see Chelsea Market where I had a delicious bowl of clam chowder and tried macaroons for the first time … Yummy!

To finish off our trip we went to Phantom of the Opera.  The music is AMAZING … the story line didn't appeal to me.  We found this scarf for Monte at some shop on Time Square.  He reminded me of the bald guy on Despicable Me … cracked me up.

So glad we were able to have this experience.