We found the New York Public Library with it's majestic lions--named Patience & Fortitude-- today with Christmas wreaths ringing their necks. The sidewalk and canopy in front of Lord & Taylor's was amazingly dressed in light and had the cutest windows with moving animals at Christmastime. Sacks Fifth Avenue was decorated lavishly, too, but I like Lord & Taylor's best. At 42nd Street we saw Macy's then walked into Grand Central Station to see the zodiac constellations--actually painted backwards as if seen from outside the celestial sphere--painted on the dome ceiling, the sun streaming through the soaring arched windows, the marble Beaux Arts interior, and to buy a vanilla cupcake and some coconut macaroons from Magnolia Bakery (of Sex and he City fame, though not at this location). Evidently there are secret passages under the station with a train platform entrance and an elevator straight up to the Waldorf-Astoria hotel. There is also a "whispering gallery" where if you stand in one corner under he domed ceiling and a friend stands in the opposite one, you can whisper and your friend will hear it as a shout! Then we found the skating rink at Rockefeller Center and the huge Christmas tree that is still crated up, ready to be revealed and decorated next week. Saw the sign for the Rainbow Room and walked past Radio City Music Hall.
We had only planned to see the outside of St. Patrick's Cathedral, but the doors were open so we went inside--beautiful stained glass and arches. Very stark white. Then it was a walk past MOMA and on to Central Park and the Plaza Hotel (the Eloise and Madeleine books and John Lennon come to mind). Also filmed here were the movies North by Northwest, Home Alone 2, The Way We Were, The Great Gatsby, and Sleepless in Seattle. John Lennon stayed here when the Beatles first visited America and went to the Oyster Bar often while he lived here. Photos of Central Park from the road turned out looking impressionistic. Walked through Central Park and saw a Big Bird and another ice skating rink and out the other side to make our way back to the ship. All together we walked for almost 4 hours non-stop for a total of about 8 miles.
We passed by 2 Potbelly restaurants, but they were closed. Just thinking about the milkshakes I used to have there in Chicago had me craving a shake, and when we got back to the ship again we went to the Ben and Jerry's onboard for a Cookies and Cream milkshake. Then it was lunch time and time for a nap. Seeing clips of the UGA game in our cabin on TV. Wish I could see the whole game.
Heard the news about Pence at the Hamilton performance last night--wish I could've been there. Apology? No way! How I wish Trump had called for a boycott of Hamilton months ago--maybe then I could've gotten tickets!
Ray refigured and we think our actual mileage today was more like 10-11 miles. No wonder I'm exhausted. Just getting over bronchitis and food poisoning and I go walking 11 miles without stopping.
Ray went to see the Intrepid while I tried to nap. Much to tired to even eat this evening, but I gave it a good try. And I ate my Magnolia Bakery cupcake--oh my, so good!
Times Square:
Lions at the New York Public Library:
Lord & Taylor, all decked out for Christmas:
Macy's:
Grand Central Station:
Constellation ceiling at Grand Central:
Magnolia Bakery in Grand Central:
White icing with sprinkles one has my name on it:
St. Patrick's Cathedral
Angels on the street that for some reason made me think of Dr. Who:
Rockefeller Center ice skating rink:
back to St. Patrick's:
Rainbow Room entrance at 30 Rock:
Radio City Music Hall where the Rockettes were performing this afternoon:
Iconic New York symbol:
Explanation necessary--I don't know HOW these next photos came out looking like an Impressionistic painting. I did no special buttons on my camera, just point and shoot, but I was amazed. Looking down into Central Park:
Plaza Hotel--oh the memories of The Way We Were, when she gently brushes his hair from his eyes. Also the land of Eloise and the Beatles and so many others:
Into Central Park:
and who do we meet there, but of course, BIG BIRD! Probably charging exorbitant prices for photos with him, but still...
After passing TWO Potbellys this morning before they were open, I was craving a milkshake. Thank goodness Ben & Jerry's on the ship to the rescue. Cookies & Cream milkshake made the day:
Two Poets pub on the ship:
Our waiters in the main dining room:
