New York--New York

The last days of our trip--
We arrived at Penn Station
and caught a taxi to our hotel

Westin in Time Square.....

A room with a view...
Hudson river-
cool!!

After giving Ron some cold medicine-
and taking a nap
went to see the Broadway play
"In the Heights"

A nice man offered to take our photo--
but got the "Billy Elliott" sign instead-
oh, well, great photo of us!!

It was a fun play and afterwards
walked the streets of New York--
nice weather--
fun night!!

Next morning-- I now have Ron's cold!!
But that doesn't stop us--
Ron wanted to see the Cloisters--
so glad we went --amazing place!!

We were unsure of the subway stop-
and when we got off at the wrong one--
Ron said he was going to ask a man
standing on the platform
for directions--
I, ever the worry-one, was unsure of the
"character of the subway man"
Ron reassured me with this observation,
"he has a cell phone, he's fine"!!
so I guess that's the deciding factor --
can't be a robber, drug dealer or rapist
if you have a cell phone!!

But again, Ron was right--
He was a Nice guy--
actually lived by the Cloisters--
so gave us good directions and great tips.

We followed him onto the next train--
he nodded when we were to disembark and
pointed to his apartment complex from the station--

He told us to walk through the park--not on the street--
to have the best views
So glad we listened to him--look at the park:

Ron loved the rock walls that followed the
paths that overlooked Hudson River

Wish we had more time to explore all the
paths.....

amazing views of the bridges

See how much Ron loved these rock walls-
willing to let me take 2 photos of him!!

getting creative with the bridge

Followed the signs..
notice the large granite rocks--
so cool

And just like he said,
"when you see the castle-like building--
you have reached the Cloisters"
We even took a tour of the gardens and
learned about medieval vegetation

There was so much to see--
so much to tell you--
that of course I can't --
but here is a great site that can:

http://www.metmuseum.org/Works_Of_Art/the_cloisters
Ron's the man in the window....
We LOVED this place--
will definitely return--
recommend it to all!!
After garden tour--had lunch--
Ron's contemplating how to
recreate this in West Richland!!
I just wanted to stay...
After lunch--the cold exploded in my head--
so we returned to our hotel
via the park again
and took a nap -

woke to this colorful sunset...

Saw "Memphis"--
our favorite Broadway play of this trip.
Great music--singing--costumes--acting--
really good.

here is my "illegal" photo of
the singing and dancing--
such a fun time!

Headed back to hotel after "Memphis"
to Nyquil and sleep!!

Next morning had a fast breakfast
at our favorite deli--
had breakfast here everyday
and after theater meals too--
fresh food, clean restaurant,
GREAT, friendly service--
shouts out to the
New York Gourmet !!

This is the fresh salad bar--
they make them to order and they are GREAT!

Today was death by ART--
Mick and Joni picked us up and took
us to the Metropolitan Museum--
WOW--could have spent days there--

Had deja-vu
reminded me of our Europe trip

Fun time with Mick and Joni--
headsets and all!!
nice fashion statement!

like I said--could have spent the entire day!

But.... we had reservations at Tavern on the Green--
which unfortunately was more hype than substance--
food was just mediocre-- which was disappointing..

But the company was great---

And we enjoyed ourselves--
even if it looks like we put Mick to sleep!!

After lunch we walked to the New York Temple--

Next time we will have to plan to attend a session

walked through Central Park--
can't believe I didn't take any photos of the
"interesting" park dwellers!!

But I did take this cool,
sun-peeking, through the trees shot!
It was a beautiful day!!

Thanks Mick and Joni for meeting us in the CITY--

After they left--we walked the streets--
Here's our hotel
it's the mulit-colored sky-scaper

You can see the Westin sign behind me--
great hotel--perfect location.

Next day--had to go to China town--
Joni had given me her "designer purse"
contact card--
and we were ready for an adventure--

first we had to call the number and say
"friends of Joni's from Cali"
I was then asked "how many coming?"
and told to call when we reached their street.

When we arrived at the street and called--
I was given instructions to approach building
and wait for sign.
We walked up the street--
saw this man in the doorway--
he looked up and down the street and
then motioned for us to enter.

He looked back out the door in both direction--
nodded to the girl behind the counter.
She went to a wall and moved the panel
which opened to a small staircase.
we climbed the narrow steep stairs
and entered a room filled with
purses at discount prices!!
Here is the photo which I discreetly took:

We had to repeat the clandestine procedure
when we left!!
Of course I couldn't take photos inside the store--

but let's just say, I think my daughters
will be happy at Christmas time!!
And we had so much fun that we had to
return the next day for something for ME!!

I know it's silly--
but we KNOW they are not the real thing-
but we would NEVER buy the real thing--
so that's my rationale--and I can sleep with it!

We then had lunch on Mulberry Street...

and I found our favorite restaurant
from previous trips-
Lunella

After the "purse-capades"
Ron was just happy to be celebrating his birthday
at his favorite NY restaurant!!

When we returned to our street--
we realized they were having a street bazaar--
selling some of the same purses we had just purchased--
but without the "labels"-

All the kids called to wish their dad
"Happy Birthday"
and made his day--
"thanks" great children--
you don't realize how happy it
made him to hear from all of you!

I then took him to see "Billy Elliott"

a good play--
but we still enjoyed "Memphis" more--

we then played tourists again and took
more photos of ourselves in
Time Square--

In case you can't tell--
we are having an amazing time--
~~love this man!!

Next day was Columbus day--
went to Rockefeller Center--
walked down the Diamond District--
and resisted temptation--
even though Ron kept stopping and
drawing the sales clerk out on the streets to see
if they could "help" him --

but I only took photos of floats--
and did not let him buy me any more bling--

this time!

area so CROWDED--
went to ice skating rink--
took photos--

Then I had a brilliant idea--
all of New York was attending the parade--
why don't we take the subway back to Little Italy
for lunch again at Lunella's?

and then Ron added to the plan,
"don't you want to get one more
purse ?

so we figured out the subway--

See how empty the subway was!!
called the Chinatown connection and
purchased my purse--
and then walked the empty streets to our
favorite place--
they recognized us--
gave us a table in front and
offered to take our photos for us!
my kind of restaurant!
Lunella

even took two photos!

Unlike at Tavern on the Green--
Ron's seafood risotto was amazing

and so was my chicken marsala

No Broadway play tonight--
walked around Time Square
one last time--
went to the movies--
found a gelato place--
then finally went to bed--

Took a taxi to the airport the next morning
and here is Ron,
ending our trip the same way it started...
reading in an airport!!

Such a great trip--first with Steven and Meredith--
then with friends Mick and Joni
and always together--
what a great way to travel!!