New York Pt 1

New York was a lot of fun. It was great to have some time with James and Chrissy (Kris's brother and wife). And it was so cool to spend some time together as a couple.

We arrive on a Wed night (around 7 est time). Our flight was very delayed getting off and it had to circle before we could land. But it was fun to get there. We checked in to our hotels. Kris and I stayed at the Hilton Times Square. It was a great hotel in the middle of it all. We used our Hilton Honors points to stay there, so all of our other daily spending paid for it. It was well worth it.

The view from our room. Time Square and the Hudson River

Then we all headed to a comedy club for the late show. I then had my first experience with the subway. That was fun. At the show, we saw one of the guys from VH1's best week ever, he was really funny. As we were sitting there, I noticed the guy from 30 Rock (on NBC, if you have seen it, he it was the guy with the big glasses, crazy long hair that always wears a hat) walking around. He must have been part of the first show. I am not a fan of that show, but it was fun to see. We finally got back to the hotel around 1 and I was beat. Caroline had been up at 4:30 that morning and traveling is always exhausting. So I slept like a rock.

Thurs morning, I slept until I woke up. That may have been the best part about the trip. I rarely had to worry about when I woke up. No one woke me and I could be a little lazy. Plus, when I took shower, there was no one in my bathroom screaming because they could not get in. And I was talking about Grace, get your minds out the gutter.


After breakfast, we took a Gray Line bus tour. They are great tours and I would recommend them. They are guided so you get to learn a lot of information plus you can get on and off whenever you want.



But it was freezing while we were there and Thurs the only room on the bus was on the top which is open air. The unexpected bonus of this was the pictures were pretty good. Kris even took one of me that worked out well. Which I do not think very often of pictures of myself.

Me

We did the uptown loop that day. We saw Hell's kitchen, Morningside Neighborhood (basis for Seinfeld's neighborhood), Harlem (we saw the Apollo and Bill Clintons office from a distance), many view of central park.

The Apollo

We got to see many of famous aparment buildings including The Dakota (John and Yoko's building, which an apartment in it now costs $20 million), the San Remo (Oprah and a couple other people) and, my favorite, 1040 5th Ave, Jackie Kennedy Onasis home. They are all right on Central Park. I cannot imagine

The Dakota and Jackie's Apartment Building

We went past many amazing museums. The Met, Guggenheim, Grant's Tomb and Fricky (The largest mansion built on 5th Ave and the family had an extensive art collection. When the father died, he left that house and his art to the city, I think, for a museum) art museums. We will likely go in a few next time we go, we just did not feel like we had time to get our moneys worth.

The Met, Grant's Tomb, and The Fricky Museums

We got off on 5th Ave. We went into FAO Schwartz, Tiffany & Co., Disney Time Square, and St Patrick's Catheral. My camera had died by then. The only time I was really disappointed by it was when we were in St. Patrick's. It was really beautiful and Jack and Jackie had been married there. It was really peaceful for such a big place. I will need to go back again sometime so I can get some pictures.

We ended our day of touring at Rockefeller Center. We saw the rink and the Today Show set. Then we walked back to the hotel to try and warm up a little. We were both chilled to the core.

We met up with James and Chrissy for dinner. We went to an American/Seafood resteraunt call The Redeye Grill. It was perfect. It was casual and good food. I had a hard time swallowing the prices for food there in general, but Chrissy and I shared and entree here. Which ended up to be perfect. The seafood is very fresh and really good.

Following dinner, we went to the Marc Cohn (Walking in Memphis) concert at Carnegie Hall. This was the reason for the trip and it was really worth it. I think it may be my favorit concert ever. I could listen to him sing and play the piano all day. He was an easy host and it made you want to listen to him. He has a new CD coming out and we heard some of the music. They were great, relaxing songs. I cannot remember the name of his new CD, but keep and eye out. You will like it.

That is the end of part one. More soon.