It was not a difficult decision on where to go, as we had discussed it on a few occasions over the past few months. We decided to go to the Big Apple once more. With so many places to see, we realised that there was still so much we had not seen, or done, on our previous three trips. Although we had great fun each time we met 'the cousins', and would do it again in a heartbeat, we weren't sure as to when it may happen again.
We met at the airport and went straight to the gate. We had been upgraded but they had not put us together. It appeared that this had happened to another couple and we managed to swap seats without any drama. After my refusal to move on the long haul last year, I knew there was a chance we would not be together. Breakfast was delicious. Smoked salmon and eggs! A lot more than expected on the three hour flight.
Arriving early at Newark, we weighed up our options and chose to take the train as we were very early and check in was not until 4pm, but the nice lady at the terminal said that the bus would take us much closer to the hotel, and it was a straight through run!
Thankfully, our room was ready and they allowed us to check in early which, obviously, we did. The fun began virtually immediately. Sometimes, the accent is difficult to comprehend, both ways! There was a 'resort fee', which was compulsory. However, from what I could understand, there was compensation! In return for the $25, we had $35 to spend anywhere in the hotel, (except, except, except...) and free high speed Internet, which would be charged and reimbursed. I had been up since four thirty, had been flown across several states and had dragged my bag four blocks from the bus stop. The hotel entrance was on the first floor, but check in was on level 8. The lifts were controlled by a central button where you had to push your floor number, (and if you had a double digit number, you had to press the buttons very quickly,) and then find the elevator that coincided with the letter that was displayed on the board. It became a challenge before we got to the desk! Suffice it to say, I couldn't quite grasp what she was telling me. I asked for clarification and gave up! The concierge, fortunately, had a much less broad accent and explained, as if I was five, (for which I was genuinely grateful,) how the 'system' worked.
After the obligatory cleaning of the room, we headed out! We had a schedule! (I refused to use the word plan!) Leaving Time Square was another challenge. Several people dressed in Mini-Mouse costumes, and Elmo costumes, came up to us, arms outstretched coming in for a hug, and asked if we wanted to have a photo with them. We thanked them politely but were adamant in our refusal. On our way we went. Samantha had wanted to visit the Natural History Museum. This was the location (perhaps some on location) for the movie, 'Night at the Museum'. It was a forty minute walk from the hotel, and we marched along, following her trusty wrist device to get us there. She wanted to see all the characters, but I just wanted to see Sacajawea. The giant stone carving was on the top floor, and very easy to find. Of course, there was a line of people who wanted to have their photo taken in front of the object, and we joined in. Sacajawea was nowhere to be seen. "How many dead people do you see in the tomb?" asked one of the more conscientious guards. "You see dead people? Wrong movie!" I was tired! We continued round and got to the dinosaur section. "How fast did an extinct dinosaur run?" was the question. "Extinct dinosaurs don't run! They are extinct!" came the quip! I was tired!
The weather was very pleasant, and we had put on our coats, but did not need them. It was time to have some dinner. There would be no 'chains' for us this trip, (with the exception of Starbucks hot chocolate,) as we were going to frequent as many deli's as meals needed would allow. Off we went to Katz. We took a cab and I paid more than I would ever dream of for a bowl of soup and half a sandwich. I could have bought an entire meal at a good restaurant in Austin, and still had change for a cab home! However, it was very good, and after the shock wore off, we walked back to the hotel stopping at the Lego shop and a couple of other places along the way. "No, thank you", we told the army of characters dressed in bad costumes.
The view from our room was of Time Square. I had wanted to be directly on Time Square, for safety's sake. I did not want to risk going back to a hotel that was down a 'back street' or anywhere off the beaten track, and as Times Square is quite busy at night, it seems a good choice. Admittedly, it did seem like there was daylight 24/7, as the signs outside are never turned off, but that does not bother me! Dinner was a flat bread pizza with some chips and dip from the restaurant in the hotel, as it seemed a good choice to use the 'complimentary' $35!
We did not plan to have a late night, but by the time we got our hot chocolate after our dinner, and fought off a multitude of cartoon characters, it was approaching midnight, and we wanted to be up early in the morning. I am not a 'follower' of the Today programme, but when in New York.....! Up we got, and out we went, into the rain, and braved the colder temperatures to get to the studios. It was too early for Mini Mouse! Not far from the hotel, we manged to get there quite quickly, and the security guards told us where to go. "Through the building, out the other side, and join the line". We got as far as the centre of the building, where another security guard asked if we needed help. "Where are you from?" he asked, in an Eastern European accent. We gave our usual retort. "Northwest London, but we have lived in Austin, Texas for nearly fifteen years". A look of absolute delight came across his face. "I lived in Round Rock with my second wife!" he shrieked. Samantha told him she lived in Round Rock. He was besides himself. We walked, slowly, to the exit, and each time we tried to get outside the door, he would tell us another story about Texas, and "Is it still..........?" and "Do you get.....?", etc, etc. Finally, I shook his hand and said we would catch him on the way back, but he said his shift would be over soon. The puppy dog eyes were probably not meant to be manipulating, but I felt awful leaving him as it appeared we had made his day!
I failed miserably at the next stop. "All metal objects in the box, then walk through the arch!" I put everything in the box. I walked through the security arch. I beeped. "Watch off", I was told. I did as I was told. I beeped. "Hat off", I was told. I did as I was told. I had dropped my scarf in a puddle, my earmuffs on the floor, and my coat had draped in the dirt. I beeped again. "You are holding an umbrella!" said my daughter. I discarded the item. I got through!
The 'warm up' crew were very nice, and chatted with the crowd. "Where are you from?.....Oh my goodness...I am from Houston. I lived in Austin when I went to UT!" Another Texan! We had made a sign. "Hi mom. Oh you are here" with an arrow pointing right. The camera man thought it was quite funny. We joined in with the crowd, and cheered when told. We were filmed but whether we appeared on the 'crowd scene' awaited to be seen. Edward had recorded the morning's show, and we had high hopes. We did stand by the window for a while, so there was a good chance! The presenters came out to see everyone at eight thirty, but as I have never seen the show, I did not know them. However, the fact that they come out, rain or shine, snow or ice, to see all the people who get up at the crack of dawn to stand around in the cold, rain, or other elements, is to their credit. Of course, I jumped up and down, and behaved like an idiot, as 'that will get you noticed', according to the 'warm up' guy. I was not convinced that we were not just his personal comedy show, but I am always game for a laugh! Whether we appeared on the show or not, we would be able to add it to the 'we did that' list when any crowd scene for the 'Today' programme is shown on television!
We arrived back at the hotel, in need of a shower and coffee, not necessarily in that order! Pressing the buttons on the central keypad was a challenge. Although we had been wearing gloves, we were very cold. Samantha pressed the one and five buttons, but not fast enough. I tried and was too fast, so came up with '11'. We tried again, and again, and eventually got the right floor. The letter displayed and we made our way to the lift. However, all the numbers had been recorded, and the lift stopped at several floors where no one got off! "Someone's on the wrong elevator", said one passenger. "No they are not", we whispered to each other!
It was an option to walk to Battery Park, but we had so much to fit in, the train seemed like a better idea. "Which subway do we take?" we asked the guard at ground level at our hotel. "A block down on your right". After walking three blocks, finding no subways at all, we had to ask again. I had several 'metro' cards on which to 'top up', but of course they were all safely tucked away somewhere back in Austin. We had to purchase two more tickets and add fare money to them before heading down to the platform. The rat that ran across the rails did not make anyone else jump! I stood frozen to the ground and was hoping it wouldn't leap up from the crater. Naturally, it was 'out to get me', and I stood very still so as not to get its attention. Thankfully, the train rounded the corner and we got on, leaving the rat to do what rats do! Despite the signs indicating that large musical players are not allowed on the train, a trio stepped on with not only the sound system, but a microphone and trumpet! The carriages are rather spacious but a trumpet blast within, especially when not expected, and not playing the same tune as that being sung, can be a little unnerving to say the least. The rat suddenly seemed a better option. The alighted at the next stop and almost everyone was seen to be rubbing at their ears!
We exited at Battery Park and surprisingly were not bombarded by ticket touts. In fact, we were only asked once if we wanted tickets, and as we were not intending to go to Liberty Island, we answered truthfully in the negative. As we approached the ticket office, I noticed the discount for seniors and asked the lady behind the screen what age I had to be to be eligible. Apparently, it was 62. Samantha, as quick as a flash, said that 'under 4's' got in for nothing, and as it was four years until I was 62, could I go free. The woman behind the screen was very impressed at how she 'did the math', and for that gave me the discount!
Once again we had to go through security, and take off our hats, coats, gloves, scarves, boots etc, and then put everything back on again, which took much longer than we would have liked, and we just missed the ferry. However, this put us first in line, and I made sure I was first on the next boat so that I could run upstairs and get a seat at the front, for no other reason than to avoid sea sickness. The wind was high and the water was choppy. Samantha 'went live' on face book, and we recorded our trip. There were two problems with this. The first was that we were actually on the wrong side to see 'Lady Liberty', as the control room was in the way. The second was that the sound did not record our voices, so there is a seven minute recording of some choppy waves and the sound of gushing wind!
For the first time in our handful of trips we did not disembark at Liberty Island but stayed on the ferry until the next stop. We entered the large building at Ellis Island, wandered around the ground floor, walked up the stairs and stood at the end of the processing hall. Standing still, unable to move, I asked my daughter, "Do you feel something?" She responded in the affirmative. Unsure as to whether it was the 'haunting' of those who had been processed through, or whether it was because we, ourselves, are immigrants, we have no clue, but it was very hard for both of us to keep our eyes from watering, and not to feel the experience. Our 'process', despite all the stress, and in particular the problems Samantha encountered due to administrative errors, had been easy. Eventually, our feet were able to move, and we waked around the exhibits and then came to the 'hearing room'. "The sweat box", I whispered, aware that we were on a form of sacred ground. "The original sweat box", said my daughter, who was feeling every bit as much as I felt the ghosts of those who went before us. The criteria for entry was much more harsh than it appears to be now, and the reasons for non-admission could be for no more than a disability such as blindness or deafness, so as not to cause a possible 'burden' to the country. Many died in the hospital, and many were returned to their original homes. I could not fathom being in a bottom deck area on a boat for six weeks and then having to repeat the performance almost immediately. The experience was emotional and haunting. However, it was worth the trip.
We boarded the train once more and headed to the Second Avenue Deli. The half sandwich and soup was absolutely delicious, but the price was even more than Katz! I chose not to dwell on the cost as we were on holiday, but could not help but wonder how they stay in business! The answer was quite simple. They were constantly busy! We had arrived mid afternoon and the place was quite full. I did not look to see the alternatives on the menu as I had made up my mind to have a corned beef sandwich (salt beef or boiled beef as we call it in England.....I don't think anyone expects to pay much for an English corned beef sandwich!) and it was enormous.
An appointment at Tiffany was not needed. Samantha's 30th birthday present from her father had been put on hold until she found something that was going to be 'memorable'. Not one for jewellery as a rule, she had seen a necklace that she thought was rather special, and he had agreed. Checking on line as to how to get to the famous store, it appeared that an appointment was needed, and she made it for 6pm. In the event, this was actually for a personal shopper, which she definitely did not need! We headed for the second floor, and she found what she was looking for. "Can I offer you ladies some water, juice, or some bubbles perhaps". Well why not! Dressed in outfits a far cry from Ms Hepburn, we wandered around from floor to floor, glass of champagne in hand, and looked at the breakfast menu. It was not too much more than half a sandwich and soup, at our most recent lunch venue, a place where Ms Hepburn probably did not frequent, but we did not feel the need for that much extravagance. Instead we wandered and smiled as we checked price tags for pencils, notebooks and diamond engagement rings, none of which we had any intention of buying! We were absolutely exhausted but hot chocolate awaited and instead of going to Starbucks, Samantha suggested we got to Dunkin' Donuts as her coupons expired today. As I said earlier, I had wanted to stay on Times Square so that I could feel secure about leaving and entering the hotel. I did not want to have to walk along 'back streets' to get back to our accommodation. Although just a block away, the coffee house was just a little too much off the 'beaten track' for my liking. About five stores in, it was a very dimly lit road and rather 'sketchy'. The hot chocolate was not 'up to par' either. "Quick! Let's get out of here", I said, all too loudly. It really was only a few yards to the corner, and the chaos that is Times Square, but I felt quite uneasy. However, we made it and continued to walk back to the hotel.
Being approached by yet another person in a Mini Mouse costume, with her head tipped back so I could see the face behind the mask, was the straw that broke the camels back. "You want picture with me?" she said in broken English. "Why?" I said, standing in front of her, with my arms bent at the elbows, and hands spread out in the 'why' gesture. "No. Thank you", said Samantha, somewhat shocked at my outburst. I had been thinking, as we approached the mice and Elmos, as to why adults would want pictures of themselves with half a dozen Mini Mouses and a handful of Elmos, and obviously they had caught me mid thought!
The next morning did not start quite so early, or as dramatically. We were on our way before nine, and walked to Brooklyn Bridge. I was following Samantha's instructions, and a couple of miles into the walk she said, "We are here!" I looked and scanned my surroundings, No matter in which direction I looked, I could not see the bridge. There was no sign of water, and all I could see were buildings. "Where?" I asked, somewhat flummoxed. "Here. At the cookie dough place". I had not realised there was going to be a detour, but had been asking her since the beginning of our trip as to where this place was. I am not a fan of 'cookie dough', but I know that many are. Apparently, there are a few 'pop-up' shops around, and it is fast becoming the 'in thing' (Providing, of course, that you like raw batter!) We entered the small shop and she sampled a couple of flavours. I did not wish to indulge. I remember my mother allowing us to have the 'lollipops' (mixer paddles) when she made a cake, but I never really enjoyed them unless it had chocolate on it, and cake batter was not the same as biscuit batter. However, next door was a bakery and in the back were people learning how to make puff pastry. This was far more my scene! We did not stay as long in the bakery as we did in the cookie place, and headed out to the real bridge!
Stopping for one more photo opportunity, we saw the building with no windows. I had never heard of it, but I knew the programme in which it featured. "Mr Robot. Remember?" said Samantha. How could I forget! We stood in the soaring heat to queue up for t-shirts a couple of years ago. I never saw the series, nor did I want to. I never wanted to be reminded of it again, and here I was, in temperatures that were diametrically opposite. Freezing would have been most welcome today! Instead the temperatures had dipped to 22 degree Fahrenheit (-5) with a wind chill factor of 14 (-10) and we were walking across the bridge, (having had a picnic in the park earlier, eating our croissants bought at the bakery,) with winds howling around us. Mad dogs and Englishmen? I had left my stetson at the hotel an was wearing one of my daughter's creations upon my head. A beige bobble hat with a scarf underneath and ear muffs. It kept out the wind, but we could not stand still for too long! A mile across, we stepped over the 'Welcome to Brooklyn' sign and walked the mile back. "Get some clothes on!" I shouted to one man who stood in a pair of shorts and a t-shirt, flexing his muscles as he turned blue. The only time I actually felt the cold was when I was looking at someone preferring 'alluring' (albeit in their opinion) over 'common sense'. Stilettos are not really walking shoes. I suppose the bare legs covered at the top by a thick belt (which presumably was sold as a mini skirt - am I getting old?) eventually get used to the frost bite! Did I mention it was cold!
I wasn't allowed to enter the church that was in the movie 'National Treasure' as I had a hot chocolate in my hand. I was not allowed to leave it at the desk, either. Rules are rules! We headed back up to Wall Street and to the train station. No! We did not have tickets for Liberty Island, nor did we want them! Why? Well frankly, it was none of their business! After the tenth person comes up and will not let you pass, the words 'obstruction', and 'just move' come out of my mouth. 'Excuse me' has left the building! Walking into the train station, we looked for a ticket machine. "What do you want ladies?" said one of the ticket touts. "A ticket machine", I answered. "Oh you need tickets. We have tickets. Here, what have you got. He can help you". We were almost trapped. I did not notice the ticket machine on the other side of the gated area, which could be accessed by exiting and walking around the brick building. Instead, I headed out and across the park. "Come back. You don't understand. You need to.....". The words just flew into the wind. As we approached the next station, we just repeated the word "No", and walked through the barrage of touts. With money now on the card, we headed back to the original station, with my arms now in 'breast stroke' movement, keeping the touts at bay. 
Exiting at Grand Central Station was another tick on the list! Eating lunch at Grand Central Station (not at the Oyster Bar) was yet another tick! It was fun! Eating ice cream in sub zero temperatures was not on the list but we were on holiday! Our trip back to the hotel did not take long and I enjoyed a nice hot cup of tea before we headed out for our final evening. I had not realised that the cut price ticket office was actually on the square, and we were too late to see a show. It would have been fun, but we would know for next time. We had 'checked in' for our flight the following evening, and were now ready to have some dinner. Across the road from the hotel was another deli. 'Junior's famous cheesecake' said the sign, but we did not want cheese cake. Samantha ordered a chopped liver sandwich, and I got a burger (a highly overpriced burger) from the restaurant in the hotel, to use up my 'surcharge'. The burger was amazing. The sandwich not so much! Out into the cold we headed again, and took our left over lunch and supper in bags. Although expensive, the portions are big (perhaps not Texas big, but big enough). A couple of homeless guys were wandering around asking for 'anything'. "Here", I said to one, handing him a bag containing a sandwich. "Juniors. Cheesecake?" he said, looking excited. "A sandwich", I said, and his countenance dropped. I felt a little bit upset for him, but then wondered if I would be so picky. Maybe. I like cheesecake! We wandered around Hershey's, picked up chocolate bars that were handed out and headed back through the square, being most polite to the Mini mouses and Elmos. Again, I engaged the 'breast stroke' movement with my arms and along with the 'No, thank you" came the, "Don't touch me", warning. With another hot chocolate (from a store on the square) in hand, we headed back and packed.Waking at ten minutes to eight was rather surprising, but we got up, got ready, checked out and deposited our bags with the bell hop! Off to Grand Central we went and I bought a corned beef sandwich for lunch and the journey home. We then went to Second Avenue Deli, where Samantha bought her lunch and home time treat, along with a tub of the famous chopped liver! We then went to Bryant Square, sat in sub zero temperatures and enjoyed a plate of fries cooked in duck fat! Although ice-skating had been on 'the list', we did not partake. We had wanted to ice skate at the Rockefeller Center, but the price per person was more than lunch for two at Second Avenue Deli, and we thought we could find something else to do for an hour! The 'just because we can' factor became 'it's really not worth it'!
Before we left New York City, we got into the lift in the hotel, went as high as we could, and then got the lift all the way down. Why? Because they were glass elevators and it was fun. What wasn't fun was that the lift that came first, as we stood on the 42nd floor, was an internal lift, and we would not have been able to see anything. It would not go down, and vertigo started to set in. Eventually, one of the external lifts came along and stopped two floors down. "This is a nightmare. Can you imagine this place if you have had a few drinks", said the lady who entered the lift, talking about the key pad outside. "Or if you don't know your alphabet", said I. "Oh yeah. Or both!" she said. We enjoyed the ride down, and went and asked for our bags.
The trip back to Newark was painless, and far less expensive than I had been told. We got a 'yellow' as being an ex-cabbie, and from a family of cabbies, I want to keep the trade alive! We checked our 'extra' bag and waited for our flight. Samantha went off to get our 'final' hot chocolate, and was gone for sometime. They took the barriers away from the lanes, and I got in line. When she came back, I was already standing in the queue. I went to the ladies, and when I came back, she had allowed several people in front of her. I was a little confused. "We don't want to go to Dublin, do we?" Well, I wouldn't mind, but our tickets would probably not allow it, and we didn't have our passports. Why? It appeared that my anxiety had got the better of me and I had not noticed that the gate at which I was queuing was the one next to ours! "It's a lovely place", said one passenger. "You should come with us", said another who found it all very amusing.
Our flight home was uneventful and we munched on our sandwiches and watched a movie. Edward was at the bottom of the stairs waiting for his wife, and had a beautiful bouquet of white roses in his hands. Dana was in the cell phone park awaiting my call. We were all home before midnight.
The trip was great fun, and we accomplished almost all of the things on our list. We were shown at least four times on the Today show, and perhaps more but the recording had stopped prior to the show. I know there are a lot of places to see on this vast continent, and I hope to go to many more, but I think I would like to go back to New York City again, as it is so vibrant and diverse. Despite the constant barrage of touts and Mini Mice I had a fabulous time. I would love to have taken the same trip with Dana but I do not think he would have enjoyed it. The crowds and walking (average 12.2 miles over the four days) would not a happy camper have made! However, I look forward to the next time I can leave town on an adventure and put it in ............. another story!
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