Saturday 9 April 2016

Guess where I've been!


I've been off air for a while, partly due to the fact we all went off to visit my second eldest daughter in the States. She's based in New Jersey, but we also spent three days and two nights in New York. I'm generally not a fan of cities, finding London almost unbearable at times, but I have to say I loved New York. We visited Times Square, the Rockefelle Centre, Central Park, the 9/11 memorial site, Soho, Greenwich Village, Manhatten, Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Staten Island ferry, the Stock exchange and Wall Street, rode the wooden escalators in Macy's and took in Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. We must have walked miles, but it was such a great way to drink in the various flavours of New York.

 
A great view from 'top of the rock'

The lake in Central Park, setting for many a TV programme and film

The World Trade Centre - such a positive and vibrant building.

We ate some amazing vegan food too. If you are visiting New York, I can recommend Beyond Sushi between the Rockefelle Centre and Central Park; Peacefood Café on the Upper West Side; the Butchers Daughter in Greenwich Village; Candle 79 on the Upper East Side (posher, but really good food) and By Chloe on Bleecker Street. All served fantastic vegan food with excellent gluten free options too. You certainly wouldn't miss your meat if you weren't vegan!

My sweet potato and avocado wrap in Beyond Sushi - delicious! 

This is an American robin in Central Park. They are everywhere and, as you might suspect bigger than our little robin red breast. The first wildlife I saw in the park was actually a large rat! 

We had some excellent service in America, but I'm afraid I was also struck with some examples of very poor customer service. Some of these people really shouldn't be working in the service industry! I guess many cities suffer from that, but it's a shame for their tourism.

All in all we crammed so much in that it felt as if we had been there for two weeks. Our daughter is amazingly at home there, knowing her way around both geographically and culturally. She's so confident and relaxed which is great to see. Her host family (she's an au pair) are lovely and she's made great friends too. Such an adventure! It was hard to leave her again, but I take great comfort in the fact that she is doing something she has always wanted to do. I suspect it's just the start of the travelling adventure for her.

We got back this morning and are off again on Monday to Shropshire to start some house viewings. I'll let you know if we are bowled over by any!

26 comments:

  1. Brilliant, how lucky!! It's on my wish list - just need to get over my fear of flying first!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm not a great fan of flying especially the landing and takeoff, but it's more the boredom and discomfort that puts me off - there's only so many films I can watch before I get fidgety!! I would certainly recommend a visit though.

      Delete
  2. We've been to New York a couple of times and always enjoyed it, glad you had a good time. Happy house hunting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was surprised at how much I liked it actually! I would certainly recommend it :)

      Delete
  3. I love visiting New York but it is always for just a few days.
    You really did it all how wonderful for you.
    Happy to know Daughter is doing so well.

    cheers, parsnip

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It felt as if we'd been there for at least two weeks because we got so much done! Yes, she really is ever so happy there :)

      Delete
  4. Fantastic.Great photos. I've been to New York once but about 10 years ago. Would love to go again as last time I literally spent the whole time shopping!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Happy to report absolutely zero shopping was done, but I can easily see how you could! Macy's is HUGE!

      Delete
  5. Another huge fan of NYC the city that never sleeps. We have visited many times and have not encountered a rude person yet. Always so much to do and shows to see.

    How's the jet lag?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fortunately we seem to have avoided jet lag on both routes! I was certainly expecting it on the way home, but an early night sems to have sorted it. Good job as we leave for Shropshire at half 5 tomorrow morning!

      Delete
  6. Wow, looks like you had a wonderful time, and how lovely to see your daughter settled in her enviroment x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She's become like a local, but without the accent!

      Delete
  7. I have been a couple of times and thoroughly enjoyed it. Good luck with house search.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks - it will be interesting to see if we can agree on what we like!

      Delete
  8. Just talking about New York last night with friends and how great views were from Rockefeller Centre. Really must visit. x

    ReplyDelete
  9. That looks and sounds amazing, I'm totally jealous!!

    Good luck with the house hunting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was amazing! Now for the slightly more stressful task of finding a house we all like!

      Delete
  10. It looks amazing. I would love to go there. Your photographs are great. I'm glad you had such a fantastic time. Good luck with the house hunting this week. X

    ReplyDelete
  11. We have been away as well, and now I am catching up on everyone.

    It sounds as if you have had a lovely trip.

    God bless.

    ReplyDelete
  12. How lovely a whistle stop tour, I have fancied visiting at christmas time but never got round to it who knows perhaps one day :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My daughter said it was VERY crowded and busy at Christmas time, so I'm glad we went mid week and not over a holiday as im not keen on crowds! I also think it helped us to be able to fit so much in as there weren't queues.

      Delete
  13. Live about an hour and a half from New York City and go about every 5 years...or longer. Funny how foreigners love what I can do without!
    Glad you enjoyed yourselves and had a good experience! I am happy in a field full of animals in the country

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I live about half an hour from London on the train and virtually never go in! BUT I did enjoy New York. I'm aiming for the fields and countryside.... :)

      Delete