NYC - Day 2 afternoon and evening

This was seen on our way back to the bus after lunch.

 

We crossed the Manhattan Bridge.

To walk off our lunch, we walked half way across the Brooklyn Bridge (and back). That was a treat. I have to say it is embarrassing to be with this group that doesn't get they are blocking sidewalks and walkways so other people can't get by. I can just hear what people are thinking.

 

The role of Emily Warren Roebling in seeing to the completion of this bridge is very interesting and here's a link to her story.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emily_Warren_Roebling

 The building on the left with the spire is new Tower #1.

 Couples bring locks here (and to other places) to declare their love 'forever'.

There is a great ice cream shop under the bridge, and that was our next stop. Yum - butter pecan.

 

 

 This site was an important part of the Revolutionary War as the British entered the harbor with troops outnumbering the American Army.  Fog developed and Washington managed to sneak troops to another waterway.

Katz's Deli is where that famous scene from When Harry Met Sally was filmed. I decided before I came here that I wanted a Reuben sandwich. Didn't happen because I wasn't that hungry - and they were something like $16! So I enjoyed a beer and then a piece of New York cheesecake to go.

 

When you walk in, they hand you a ticket.  Whenever you order food or drink, the price is written on the back.  You take your ticket to the cashier when you leave - even if you didn't buy anything.

 

 

 

A model is being photographed on the sidewalk across the street.   For her clothing change, helpers held a blanket around her and she changed right there.

 

More driving around and around. Now remember, I am sitting up front so I am hearing how this guide is planning how to kill time. She keeps telling the poor bus driver over and over that he needs to go as slow as possible! Some of us are feeling sorry for him.

Eventually, we arrive at Pier 17 where we will board a water taxi for a trip to see the Statue of Liberty at night. Oh wait, we are way too early!! We have been passing a trapeze school as we go back and forth from the campground. They have a rig set up at the pier. Now that was fun to watch!! I don't know if these were students or people 'off the street' who paid for the experience. I was fascinated by trapeze artists as a child.

 

Pier 17 has been there 28 years and has several little shops and a restaurant or two. As we are going in, a news reporter is interviewing a young lady. Later we see this reporter 'reporting'. It turns out this is the last day for all the little shops as someone has decided this building should be torn down and replaced with something more modern. Some New Yorkers are not happy.

We now board the water taxi - this was one of the highlights of the tour for me.  What a rough ride as we watch other tours on yacht types sailing by. I had noticed two spotlights pointing upward. As it turns out, they are shining from Ground Zero in memory of the World Trade Center Towers and those lights into the sky are quite impressive. The Statue of Liberty, which looks so small from a distance, was lit up in all her glory - I had only seen her in daylight before.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am already in my PJs so when fireworks went off over the water at 9:45 p.m., I only had a peek-a-boo view out the window.  No more fireworks during our stay.