PAGE SIX
New York City - Andrew, Jacqui and his Aunt & Uncle - 2009
Our previous short trip to New York happened in late 2008 – we were actually in New York on the day that President Obama was elected although we only knew the result halfway back across the Atlantic (we should have stayed for the party!). So at the very end of February 2009, we were joined by Andrew’s Aunt Bev and Uncle Ed on another trip to New York City and our first visit to Barack Obama’s America.
It has to be said, it looked and felt much like Bush’s America, but there was a bit of a spring in peoples’ steps, a bit of optimism in the face of the economic crisis that was gripping the whole world at that point.
The Empire State Building, New York City
By this point, we had ceased staying in Queens and were generally finding ourselves at the historic New Yorker Hotel which is only a short distance from our jewellery sources and is close by a number of great New York attractions.
Aunt Bev - chilly on the ferry to Liberty Island, New York
Classic View of New York City
Uncle Ed & Aunt Bev with Statue of Liberty, New York City
As always, our first port of call when taking new people to New York was to the Statue of Liberty. The journey over this time was decidedly chilly, New York in February was much colder than we had expected (and would be about to spring a surprise on us). Liberty Island, at the best of times, is not exactly sheltered and with the cold wind whipping in from the Atlantic it was transformed into a place of blustery, icy majesty. One advantage of the cold winter air was a lack of any visible pollution making the views across to the skyline of New York better than ever before – even if it was so cold you couldn’t linger for too many minutes.
The Lady with the Lamp, New York, New York
Detail of Liberty, New York City
Great view of Manhattan, New York City
In the shop on Liberty Island I managed to get the traditional “silly hats” shot of Aunt Bev and Uncle Ed!
Traditional silly hats photo, Liberty Shop, New York
Ellis Island, Main Hall, New York
Uncle Ed posing, New York
We then travelled on to Ellis Island and spent the usual not-quite-enough time there before heading back to Manhattan where we were delighted to see the street entertainers in Battery Park braving the cold to put on a show still.
Street Entertainers ib Battery Park, New York City
The Shrine of Elizabeth Ann Seton, Downtown Manhattan, New York
That evening Jacqui’s Uncle Victor picked us all up to take us on a bit of a tour around. We stopped briefly under Brooklyn Bridge and Andrew and Aunt Bev went to the shoreline to take some photos. Meanwhile the parking attendant arrived and took Victor away. We thought that he was going to dish out a fine, but Victor came back (in true style) with a map and the attendant’s good wishes!
Brooklyn Bridge at Night, New York City
We also tipped into Chinatown and had a wander around in the evening, but it was very cold and even Chinatown was a little subdued.
Chinatown at Night, New York City
The following day was bitterly cold in the morning, but undeterred we wrapped up warm and headed for Central Park. Again we took the horse and carriage ride, swaddled in blankets, hats and gloves. The little lake which we had lingered near when we came with our Mums was iced over (this was to be the shape of things to come).
Going for a Horsey Ride, Central Park, NYC
Bethesda Fountain, Central Park, New York City
Sixth Avenue, New York City
Heavy Frost in Central Park, New York City
Inevitably, having come to Central Park our next stop would be FAO Schwartz! Quite what draws us continuously to this toy shop is hard to say, but a trip to New York now almost feels wrong without it. On this visit I didn’t get any of my patented “wall of …” photos, but did get some interesting Riverdancing Giraffes.
Crazy Bears, FAO Schwartz, NYC
Crazy Penguins, FAO Schwartz, NYC
Riverdancing Giraffes, FAO Schwartz, New York
More from the Riverdancing Giraffes, New York
Just look at the co-ordination! FAO Schwartz, NYC
We walked down Fifth Avenue a little and I finally got a good enough photograph of Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church. We dropped inside the gaudy Trump Tower where Andrew took one of his two reflection shots of the holiday. We didn't think that one day the owner of this Tower might end up as President!
Inside the Gaudy Trump Tower, New York City
Fifth Avenue, New York City
That evening Victor picked us up once more and drove us around into Brooklyn and Queens and along a viaduct where the view back to the lit up skyline of Manhattan was something to behold indeed – the photo does not do it justice.
Magnificent Night Time View, New York City
The next morning, March 2nd – Uncle Ed’s birthday, brought us a big surprise. When we woke up everything was white. A blizzard of snow was falling in New York City. Jacqui and Andrew went out early and caught some great views of the people of New York struggling through the blizzard, the Empire State Building disappearing into the flurry. Back inside everyone had breakfast and wondered what we should do with our day. We had been planning to go up the Empire State Building, but there seemed little point if you couldn’t even see the ground! Instead we decided to head for Grand Central Station (which if nothing else is inside).
Snow in the morning, New York City
More snow by Madison Square Garden, New York City
By the time we had finished breakfast we were very impressed to see that the roads and much of the sidewalks were cleared. Snow ploughs travelled through the main streets and little hand-pushed versions helped clear the sidewalks. We were very impressed with the way New York handled what turned out to be 16 inches of snow.
View from hotel of Snowy Roofs, New York City
Deeper than it looks! NYC
Inside Grand Central Station we wandered around the little curiosity shops, went and had a cake in the downstairs café area and got a picture of Uncle Ed sitting on his birthday throne (or what appeared to be such a thing).
Exterior of Grand Central Station, New York City
King Ed on his Birthday Throne, Grand Central Station, NYC
Inside Grand Central Station, New York
Then we emerged back into the snow and found ourselves at Bryant Park. Here the snow was largely untouched and we could really see how deep it was. Much larking around was done in the snow (silly children that we all are).
Jacqui and Ed in the snow, Bryant Park, New York City
Uncle Ed's Birthday Cake?
Mischievous in the snow, Bryant Park, NYC
Silly people in the snow at Bryant Park, New York
This Way to Narnia - Bryant Park, New York
No Kidding?!?!
That evening we took a rather exciting and skiddy taxi ride down to Little Italy to celebrate Uncle Ed’s birthday in style with a magnificent Italian meal. The meal was, as almost always, of superb quality.
Uncle Ed's Birthday Meal in Little Italy, New York
The next day was one of crystal cold clarity. We decided to make the most of this and headed for the Empire State Building. Our decision to not go on the previous day was very much worth it. Although it was indescribably cold at the top of the Empire State – particularly on the side in shadow facing Central Park – Andrew took his best ever photos from up there. The air was so clear that views took in not only New York and New Jersey but Connecticut and Rhode Island too. The air had a quality of light to it that we had never seen before… but by God it was so cold! Jacqui gave up quite early… Uncle Ed after a little while.
A Superbly Clear but VERY Cold Day up the Empire State Building, New York
The Chrysler Building, New York City
Four Very Cold People, Empire State Building, New York City
But the Views are Worth It! NYC
Wrapped Up, New York
Looking Downtown, New York City
Looking to Liberty and Ellis Islands from the Empire State Building, New York City
Eventually Aunt Bev and even Andrew had to give up and go inside, where Andrew took his second – highly artistic – reflection picture of the holiday in one of the balls on a post inside the observation deck.
On Reflection - Empire State Building, NYC
We returned early that day and I took some pictures of the Statue of Liberty from Aunt Bev and Uncle Ed’s window. That evening we went to see The Lion King on Broadway – our first ever Broadway show. It was quite an experience and, although expensive, worth the money.
View from Bev & Ed's Room, New York
Dusk over the Empire State Building, New York City
The next day was one dedicated largely to odds and ends of jewellery hunting, plus visiting Macys and a few other shops.
Inside Macys, New York, New York
We then waited for night to fall before heading off to the last of the New York sights for Aunt Bev and Uncle Ed to see – Times Square.
Times Square, New York City
Another view of Times Square, New York
This time around Times Square lived up to its reputation in every way. We got a number of iconic New York views, a row of mounted policemen with the neon bright behind them. In the cold post-snow air the lights were brighter than ever and our last evening in New York passed by in a whirl of colour and noise.
More Neon! Times Square, New York City
Mounted Police, Times Square, NYC
We also tried out the new Largest Toyshop in the World – surpassing FAO Schwartz – Toys ‘R’ Us at Times Square. Although there are one or two good things inside the shop it has none of the panache and attraction of Schwartz and the likelihood is that this will be our only visit – particularly as Andrew was eaten by a T-Rex whilst inside the shop!
Andrew being attacked by T-Rex in Toys-R-Us, Times Square, New York
Bye Bye
Hula Hula! Toys R Us, Times Square, New York
The Empire State Lit, New York City
The New Yorker Hotel and Tick Tock Diner
The New Yorker Hotel, New York
Tick Tock Diner, New York City
On our final morning, we had a quick walk around the area of the New Yorker before being picked up by Uncle Victor, treated to the International Diner and raced to JFK (phew a bit close that time!) for the flight home.
Go
to USA Page One
Go to USA Page Two
Go to USA Page
Three
Go to USA Page Four
Go to USA Page Five
Go to USA Page
Seven
Go to USA Page
Eight
© Text copyright - Raving Loony
Productions, Andrew J. Müller,
Roy Barton
and Shaun Runham
© Photos and Artwork - Roy Barton, Shaun Runham and Andrew J. Müller
© Web Design and Layout - Andrew J. Müller
2023
