trip report

The only negative aspects of our trip related to our Aer Lingus flight. Having travelled twice before to NYC with Virgin and BA respectively, I had expected really nice service, individual tv screens, selection of viewing, a goody bag containing albeit cheap, items to make the trip more comfortable. Sadly none of this was available.

Anyway New York Rocks!!!!!!!!!!!

We got the administration done in Dublin so getting through JFK was seamless. Took the advice of a learned tripadvisor contributor and walked past all the guys shouting %26#39;taxi%26#39; until we got to the line for yellow cabs. My daughter%26#39;s eyes were like saucers from when we saw that line until we got to our hotel, Jolly Madison Towers.

On check-in, I mentioned that it was a trip for my daughter%26#39;s 18th and they upgraded us to a superior room. Not that big but very clean and no complaints on any aspect.

Dumped all luggage and went straight to Central Park. 2.15pm a frosty Sunday afternoon, and there we were walking round Central Park eating pretzels. My daughter loving every second.

We walked down the West side of CP and along to 5th Avenue. Loved the shop windows and ended up at Times Sq. Called into a lovely bar called Maxine%26#39;s. Just sat at the window drinking (non-alcholic) and watching the busy world go by and hugging ourselves that we had the rest of the week to be New Yorkers.

Sunday evening saw us in TGI Friday%26#39;s for dinner. Good stuff.

Monday 19th December - Went to a local deli for pancakes and maple syrip then met a friend from Brooklyn who brought us on the subway to Queen%26#39;s for discussions with my daughter about some gap year work experience. Lovely, lovely people who brought us to a lovely wee Irish pub for lunch.

From there we went to Ground Zero. I have been there before but I still got very emotional thinking of the many lives lost and of the families and loved ones who are still affected by the tragedy. In ensuring that they are never forgotton, I also felt a sense of determination in New Yorkers that building for the future is a priority.

We went from GZ to Century 21 and spent a fortune on loads of bargains. After this we went to St Patrick%26#39;s cathedral - a sanctuary within a very busy city. We said a little prayer and just absorbed the character of the church. This was marred somewhat by a guy with two children complaining loudly about the security man who appeared to be only doing his job. The man%26#39;s voice reverberated around the church nastily and he said he wanted to get the security man fired that he was trying to teach his children about church. I loved it when the security lady quietly said ';what about teaching the girls some forgiveness';? Still the complaining guy didn%26#39;t spoil our visit.

Finished our first full day with dinner in our hotel, had an Italian meal each. Very nice.

More to follow...................

trip report

You%26#39;ve found the ';real'; New York -- it%26#39;s not in the tourist attractions, but in strolling the park and having a pretzel. Good for you!

Looking forward to the next installment.