New York City - Part Two: 9th September to 13th September 2016

Friday came along quickly and it shaped up to be a full on day. As part of our city pass we elected to go to the Museum of Natural History. We knew it would be a massive museum, but until we got inside, we had no idea just how big.

We arrived not too long after opening and the first thing we saw were two gigantic dinosaur skeletons set up like they were fighting each other. They were an Allosaurus and an Apatosaurus and it was quite an impressive sight. Already excited from that spectacular sight, we made our way into a two storied room of African mammals. There were many impressive animals on display, including antelope, zebras, lions and cheetahs. However, it was the hall of six or so elephants which had the biggest impact on me.

Whilst it was cool to see all of these animals and to gain an understanding of their size, habitats and the conservation work being done to bring them back from, in many cases, the brink of extinction, it was also quite sad. The elephants and a large percentage of other animals in the museum were all remnants of times passed where animal conservation wasn’t thought of. Also, museums used to do this so the general public who would likely never get to Africa and other parts of the world, could see and marvel at strange and foreign creatures. Thankfully though, places like this one are now helping to educate people about conservation of these magnificent creatures and slowly but surely, it seems to be working.

During the rest of the day here we also saw an incredible 3D movie on Africa, more dinosaur skeletons, reptile displays and many bird displays and an interesting aquatic display, including a life size replica of a blue whale. We also saw artefacts from around the globe, such as China and Europe. However, the museum beat us. There was just so much to see and not enough hours in the day.

Saturday was a day with a difference. Instead of doing the usual touristy thing, we took a day where we just went to the pub. Now when I say pub, I mean a giant hall in Chelsea, made into a massive sports bar and otherwise known as Smithfield Hall, with the main sport being shown – football (soccer). It is a Manchester United supporters bar and it just so happened that there was a Man U v Man City game on at 7:30am when we arrived.

I think both Adrian and I underestimated just how popular football would be in NYC. The place was absolutely heaving with people. It was awesome. We obviously stayed around for the Spurs v Stoke and Liverpool v Leicester games. Drank many pints of Guinness and Lager, chatted to a local (via Boston) New Yorker and soaked up the atmosphere. We were both happy as our teams came away with the win and by 3:30pm the day was done and dusted. Or we were a little dusty. Anyway, we made our way back to Harlem and had a quiet evening.

The next day was significant for two reasons. One, it was sadly the 15th anniversary of 9/11. Two, I got to see my friend Maggie and her hubby, as well as finally meet her two gorgeous boys. We decided to stay far away from where all the ceremonies were taking place for the anniversary, as we felt it would be the right thing to do. So we ended up meeting Maggie and the boys at the Central Park Zoo.

In all my previous visits to NYC, I had never been to the zoo, so I figured what better way to see it than with the youth and enthusiasm of two little kids. Although secretly, us four big kids had just as much fun. There were cool little monkeys, seals, lions, snow leopards, bears, and a cute little petting zoo. For a zoo in the middle of a huge city, it was really quite impressive.

Once we were done at the zoo, we made our way to a pizza restaurant on Park Ave. We walked in not realising that it wasn’t just any pizza restaurant, but one many celebrities frequented. It is called Farinella’s, and man were the pizzas good! Can definitely see why the likes of Madonna, Al Pacino, Robert De Nero, Biggie Smalls and many others have had a slice or more from this place! Then it was time to sadly say goodbye to Maggie and the boys. It was great catching up and after 14 years of friendship, it felt like not a lot of time had passed.

Monday was a big day! Firstly we made our way down town to Battery Park. From here we caught a ferry across to the Statue of Liberty. I still remember the first time I did this in 2002. I remember thinking that it wasn’t really that big, or that impressive. Ha, I must have been either blind, or not very easy to impress at 19 years of age. With an almost blue bird day shining down upon us, Lady Liberty was quite a sight to see second time round. We also had perfect views looking back at Manhattan and NYC. It was stunning.

We then caught the second ferry across to Ellis Island. Ellis Island was previously the port of contact for many immigrants arriving from Europe and other parts of the world in the early days of modern America. There is now an archive museum there displaying a rich history of immigration and of the times and eras in which people immigrated.

It was truly fascinating and extraordinary to see some of the stories behind the people who made, in part, what America is today. It was also funny to see how the laws of immigration have changed over time. Most notably the rule stating what kinds of people were banned from entering. The one I recall most, was the fact that years before people with mental issues and also prostitutes were banned from entering, people with epilepsy were not allowed in. Strange, but true.

Once we had soaked up the history of Ellis Island, we made our way back to land. By this time we were pretty ravenous, so we made our way to lower Manhattan where the one and only Katz’s Deli was located. I had seen this place long ago on Man vs. Food and insisted to Adrian that we must go there. Also a friend who was originally a New Yorker, but now lives in England, insisted we eat here. So we did and man, it was packed! Katz’s has been around since 1888 and seen many a big movie star through it’s doors. So naturally, there was a bit of a wait for a table. It was so worth the wait!

I had the brisket sandwich and Adrian had the famous Ruben. There are no bells and whistles to this place and the food is not fancy. When I say a brisket sandwich, it is literally slow cooked beef, piled high and slapped between to pieces of bread. However, it was literally one of the best things I had ever eaten! So if you’re not a vegetarian and you’re ever in NYC, you have to go to Katz’s Deli!

Obviously, after a meal the size of the one we just ate, a walk was certainly needed. So we made our way to the waterfront, through the Fashion Week madness, to the Highline Walk. The Highline is a park, open to the public and has been built on an historic freight rail line, elevated above the streets of Manhattan’s West Side. It was quite a pretty and unique walk and one which gave you a slightly different perspective of NYC.

Tuesday was sadly our last day in NYC and what better way to finish it, than with two visits to the Empire State Building and a Broadway show. So on Tuesday morning, we made our way down to the Empire State Building to check out the views of NYC. Again we were lucky enough to have a super sunny and clear day, which offered up some great views.

We then visted the 9/11 memorial site. Here now stands two reflective fountains where the Twin Towers once stood. There is also displays showing the twisted metal from the buildings, parts of the original buildings, the flag which was erected by the firemen in that infamous photo, and artwork in memory of the victims. There is also a hall with all of the victims photos and some stories of who these people were. Considering how many people were there at the site, it was still a quiet and reflective space to pay respect to those taken in the attacks. The whole memorial and museum is tastefully done and it was truly a heartbreaking place to visit.

           

Then after a chilled afternoon, we prettied ourselves up and made our way to Broadway and the Eugene O’Neill theatre. Here we saw ‘Book of Mormon’. It is a musical satire about two Mormons, sent to Uganda to try and convince AIDS and war affected locals to convert to the Mormon Religion. Now, don’t be fooled by the seriousness of the content as it is by the creators of South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone and it is absolutely laugh out loud hilarious. We really loved it and are still singing the songs from it.

       

After the show, we made the most of our city pass ticket and made our way up to the top if the Empire State Building for one last look at the city. Although not quite as spectacular as the views from Rockefeller Centre, it was still wonderful to see the magnificent bright lights of the city once last time. It seemed a fitting end to our time in one of the greatest cities on Earth. New York City.

Holly.