We are back!!
It was 3 weeks ago today when we touched down at Newark International Airport. This time, our departure from start to finish was relatively seamless. Our plane departed on-time, and due to tailwinds, it landed early! Since we packed strategically to avoid checked baggage, we were able to depart from the plane and straight into an Uber. The ease of travel was rather surprising! It proved to be a great start to our adventure.
And what a remarkable adventure it was!
Day #1 Tuesday May 21st
With our unexpected ease of travel and prompt arrival in Manhattan, we had the better part of the day ahead of us, allowing us time to explore. We strolled down 6th Avenue, viewing Radio City Music Hall, Rockefeller Center, and then FAO Schwarz. Although the new location of FAO Schwarz is a fraction of what it once was, it still possesses the charm and allure it is known for – and – it still has the BIG Piano! LM was able to experience it, albeit a little shy, with a glowing, grand smile (pun intended). It was a fun experience for him, and it melted my heart to witness his joy. From FAO Schwarz we made our way to the NYC 42nd Street [Main Branch] Library. Fans of Ghostbusters, we wanted to show LM the facade, the lions, and of course, the stacks. We even got an unexpected bonus of sights! There, in the Main Branch on the main floor, in a room tucked off to the side, is a collection of incredible works and artifacts – from original Tennessee Williams’ scripts, to musical production set designs, to Christopher Robin Milne’s original stuffed animals: Winnie-the-Pooh, Tigger, Kanga, Eeyore, and Piglet (over 100 years old!). What a sight to behold! After touring the library we strolled through Bryant Park, and then east along 42nd Street to Grand Central Terminal and the Chrysler Building. By this time, we were tired and hungry. We stopped for a bite to eat at a little Italian pizzeria, and then made our way to Times Square. Our LM was brimming with excitement as he marvelled at the neon lights on Broadway. It was exhilarating, and truly an iconic way to end our fist day in NYC.
Day #2 Wednesday May 22nd
This was the day LM had been waiting for! We were going to One World Trade. We started our day off walking down 6th Avenue to 34th Street, then east to the Empire State Building. We paused for photos, then continued to walk south to Madison Square Park and the Flatiron Building. Truthfully, we planned to walk the route down to Washington Square Park, but it was already 30C outside, so we ordered an Uber instead. The ride took us through Gramercy Park, past the Lower East Side (Alphabet City), past the Williamsburg, Manhattan, and Brooklyn Bridges, to One World Trade. We visited the memorial, pausing to reflect and pay our respects to those who had lost their lives in 9/11. Then, we ascended the Freedom Tower. The view was stunning! We marvelled at the sweeping sights of Manhattan, the surrounding boroughs, and the Upper New York Bay. We lunched at One Restaurant – a table by a window – enjoying our meal, the view, and the impeccable service. It truly did not disappoint! This was the New York experience that LM had insisted on, and I am so grateful that he did. It proved to be a memorable moment for us all. But, our day was far from done! We explored Brookfield Place, Pumphouse Park, the Financial District, and New York City Hall. From there, we walked north to Tribeca to see the Ghostbusters firestation, and then all the way up to the West Village to see the Friends apartment building. Exhausted and hot, we took an Uber back to our hotel. From there, we strolled north to Central Park, ambling along the pathways to Gapstow Bridge and Central Park Pond, over to Central Park Zoo, and then down 5th Avenue. We stopped at 6th Avenue and W 49th Street, where LM got a famous Nathan’s hot dog, and hubby and I shared Adel’s Famous Halal Food. We sat outdoors by the fountain, eating our ‘street meat’ and enjoying the pulse of the city. It proved to be a long but magical day.
Day #3 Thursday May 23rd
It poured rain – relentless, vicious, and swift. By 10:25am the skies cleared and the sun broke through the clouds. Feeling blessed with good weather, we headed out for the day. I was feeling both nostalgic and excited, as today was my day! I was taking LM and hubby to my old stomping grounds – the Upper West Side. We strolled through Central Park to view the Carousel, The Mall-Literary Walk, Bethesda Terrace, Central Park Lake and Belvedere Castle; and then back south to the John Lennon Memorial. From there, we walked north along Central Park West to the American Museum of Natural History. We toured LM’s subjects of interest (dinosaurs, mammals, Mexico & Central America, human origins, and meteorites), and then lunched at Uno’s Pizzeria, where I had (years ago) celebrated my 21st birthday! The afternoon was spent admiring the Upper West Side – the architecture, the sweeping boulevards, my old haunts, my school [AMDA], and the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts – sharing my long-ago experiences with LM (and hubby too). I was lost in my reveries as we strolled with ease, making our way back to the hotel. From there, we returned to Times Square. The energy, the crowds, the neon lights – it enthralled LM! After Times Square, we sat by the fountain at 6th Avenue & 49th Street to eat. We chatted amicably about the sights we had seen, sights still to see, and our favourite moments thus far. It had been a wondrous day.
Day #4 Friday May 24th
Another hot day in the sunshine! It was our last full day in New York City and there was still so much we hoped to see. We set off through Times Square, down to Macy’s Department Store, Madison Square Gardens, Penn Station, and then west to the Shops at Hudson Yards. We rested in the parkette, relaxing on beach chairs in the shade, and enjoying the vibe of the neighbourhood. It’s such a diverse and exciting city. From there, we walked south on the High Line Park to W 26th Street. We ambled along through Chelsea, east to the Flatiron Building, then north on Broadway, stopping for some traditional New York pizza and a rest in Bryant Park. Nearing the end of our last full day in New York, our mood was muted. We did not wish for our vacation to end, but we knew it was soon time to say good-bye. We toasted to another wonderful vacation as we enjoyed a lovely dinner out; and then one last hurrah in Times Square before heading back to our room to pack and tuck in for the night.
Day #5 Saturday May 25th
Since our flight wasn’t until the evening, we decided to spend our day at Central Park Zoo and Central Park. We stored our luggage at the hotel and set off. The zoo was an absolute delight – both small and enchanting. It reminded me of The Artis in Amsterdam. LM was enamoured with the Red Pandas and delighted in how close he could get to them! After a relaxing tour of the zoo, we began our walk through the winding pathways of Central Park. It was a beautiful day – perfect for a day in the park. We stopped for hot dogs and relaxed in the shade of the trees. We chatted about life in Manhattan, and how people successfully come together in public spaces, utilizing the amenities and green space to create welcoming communities, very unlike life in TO. We walked west to Tavern on the Green, and then out onto Central Park West, strolling amongst the side streets, and up the avenues. I bid adieu to the Upper West Side, my old hometown, before we journeyed back south through Central Park to our hotel. It was time to leave. With heavy hearts and weary bodies, we began our journey home.
Saying farewell to New York City was difficult. I cannot help but feel a small part of me still resides there. I was young, impetuous, and hopeful when I lived in Manhattan, pursuing my dreams and never once thinking they wouldn’t come true. They did not – not really. My dreams never came to full fruition as my life – my personal journey – took and unexpected turn.
Though I often reminisce of my days in NYC, I no longer feel saddened at my loss. I know that I am blessed to be where I am, and I am grateful. I am grateful for the moments shared and experiences had both past and present. This trip to New York City was all that we could have hoped for. We experienced ease of travel, beautiful weather, and had ample time to see many iconic sights. We walked a total of 106,937 steps seeing as much of the city as we could see. New York made a great impression on LM – so much so that he is desperate to return and hopeful to live there. I can relate to that. It is a city that leaves a significant impression – it’s bold and it’s grand! And so, I remain entirely grateful that we could create wonderful new memories together as a family and share in this exciting adventure…and what an adventure it was!
And What an Adventure it Was! Published by Crystal Joy Hall
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