A Visit To The Big Apple - New York City

New York, NY (68 degrees, lots of rain)

We are just having such a great time in New York.  Martha (John's sister) finished teaching at Bennington College and she has spent two weeks with us before returning to her home in Sao Paolo Brazil.  Between working at the KOA and touring the Finger Lakes its been a very busy time for us. 

The highlight of our time together was a trip to New York City.  Martha performed at the Christ & St. Stephen's Church and presented a wonderful concert featuring Brazilian composers.  Her friend and previous student Israel Pessoa also performed.  Max Lifchitz was the pianist.

It was a thrill to see them in concert.  They are all very talented and have performed in opera houses and concert halls all over the world. 

Martha and Max

Martha and Israel

Below is a video I took of one of their duets (Dueto Jocoserio).  It's about her fury with a lover who no longer wants her. Opera's are all about drama!

We stayed with Israel and his lovely family in their home in East Stroudsberg PA.  We commuted to NYC by subway from Newark ($2.50/person) and one day Israel drove us into the city during rush hour.  That was interesting!  I can't imagine doing that everyday.  Israel told me about a cool app for smartphones called Waze that is invaluable in a traffic jam.  Users post delays, speed traps, and construction along your route.  It will even give you some alternative suggestions when necessary.  Israel uses it everyday when he "plans" the route into NYC. 

We also spent two days as tourists in New York City.  Here are a few of the highlights.  Many of them were suggested to us from our Facebook friends (thanks so much) or from a Frommer's NYC guide and AAA book. 

Circle Line 3 hour full island tour is a great way to get an  overview of the city. It was a very rainy day but it was still lots of fun and our first look at this fascinating and vibrant city. 

Seven new towers are being built to replace the Worlds Trade Center (the tallest tower will be 50% higher once completed)

9/11 Memorial is behind the glass arches.  A ticket is required in advance to see the memorial. 

Statue of Liberty

Ellis Island

United Nations Building

Brooklyn Bridge (many folks recommended walking across, we just did not have enough time)

Railroad bridge opening up after a train crossed the river

New Yankee Stadium

Our boat docked next to the U.S.S Intrepid.  It is now a museum and the space shuttle Enterprise just arrived a few weeks ago.  It was quite a sight to see. 

We found the city very easy to navigate.  Our tine was very limited but we sure saw a lot in a short period of time. The next day we also took a ferry out to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. 

The cost was $15/person and included head sets at each stop that told you information and facts about each site.  Best deal in New York!  A reservation is required in advance to go inside the Statue of Liberty and to have access to walk up the stairs to the crown.

Time Square

 

One of the new towers

 

Riding the subway was not very "user friendly" to a tourist.  Luckily Martha and Israel were able to help us and several passengers gave us advice too.  The information booths were not very plentiful and with the huge crush of people going in all directions a little unnerving.  After a few trips on the subway we started to feel more comfortable. It's only $2.50 a ride.  We did not try the buses.   

"Entertainment" on the subway

A visit to Central Park was recommended by many of our friends.  We saw a small portion of this beautiful park and stopped to see Strawberry Fields a tribute to John Lennon located across from the Dakota Hotel.  The park is a very busy place and so beautiful. 

Another great tip was the recommendation to eat at John's Pizzeria.  There are several locations and they make the BEST pizza!

It was a quick visit and the weather did not exactly cooperate but there is a lot to love about the city that never sleeps.