We went
just a short way to Liberty State Park to catch the ferry to Liberty Island and
Lady Liberty. There was damage done to the area by Sandy. It was quite a walk (for some) to the temporary pier. Ellis Island is still closed due to Sandy.
This was taken at Liberty State Park. In the foreground are pieces from 9/11. The two walls represent the towers and the site of the towers is viewed between them. Unfortunately, we didn't have time to explore and get better photos.
This beautiful building is the Central Railroad of new Jersey Terminal, and it is closed due to Sandy. After Ellis Island, this is where immigrants came to catch a train to wherever they were going.
We went through airport type security twice. The second time the man in front of me had to make several 'return trips', removing something else each time he did so. He finally made it through. I went through the scanner and the tub with my things was nowhere in sight! That is an awful feeling! There were not the number of people milling about as in an airport. I finally looked at the man at the scanner and shrugged my shoulders because the man behind me had his things. Seems the man in front of me tossed his things, including his shoes, on top of my things!! Whew!
There is
a wonderful display of how the Statue of Liberty was constructed, paid for,
etc. Our tickets allowed us up on the pedestal. I thought I was in line for the
stairs, but it turned out to be the elevator! By the time I figured it out, I
was almost at the head of the line so played lazy.
This is the wooden mold for a portion of the foot (sorry it is fuzzy). The thin copper sheeting was hammered into this mold for the foot.
This is a replica of the inside of the Statue of Liberty.
This is looking up the statue's skirt. Look close and you can see the spiral stairs. I believe the fee is $50 to climb to the crown.
We rode
the ferry to Battery Park in NYC. There are memorials to military who lost their lives during WWII on the Atlantic coast. All are listed on the cement 'walls'.
There is an urban garden in the park.
A cot for rescuers to rest.
A cross forged from the destruction.
A gift from London following 9/11.
Washington the Statesman.
Washington the soldier.
Bloomingdale's with the iron pillars to support the weight of the windows.
Next stop was St. Paul's Chapel which was a place of rest, food, etc. for the 9/11 rescuers. We had 20 minutes here so I rushed so I had time to stop at St. Peter's on the way back to the bus. It is the oldest Catholic Church in NYC.
George Washington worshipped at St. Paul's after his first inauguration.
A cot for rescuers to rest.
St. Peter's Catholic Church, oldest Catholic congregation in New York. Present church built in 1838.
There were so many people praying inside that these were taken through glass so as to not disturb them.
We made a
stop at Washington Square Park which has a beautiful arch and fountain. Along the way
we passed the buildings with the iron pillars again so I was able to get better
photos.
Bloomingdale's with the iron pillars to support the weight of the windows.
Chelsea
Market was next. It was mostly food stores and restaurants. Since we had dinner
reservations, no eating here even if there is lobster!!
Off to
Little Italy and the San Gennaro Festival. Many of us commented that we would
have liked to have eaten dinner at the Festival, but our reservation was at one
of the Italian restaurants. I did stop after dinner and pick up a canoli.
Dinner
was way too much - salad, pasta, I had eggplant parmesan, and dessert!
And then
we waited in the cool evening air for the bus!! Traffic was extremely heavy so
it took us 2 hours to get back to the park - I think normally it was 45
minutes. The intersection traffic cops weren't helping get rid of the gridlock.
Many of us are starting to wear out. All the slow walking on cement is making
me very sore.
