New York, New York [a review]

We arrived on Thursday morning to a very cold but sunny New York. Matt loved the view flying into LaGuardia. Since I've been before, albeit 10 years ago, he sat in the window seat and was as in awe as I was when I first saw the city from the plane. You see it all the time on TV and in movies, but it really just doesn't compare to seeing it in person. All those buildings in only 300 or so square miles. It's just crazy. Anyway, so we dropped our bags at our hotel, which was right across from Madison Square Garden. As we're checking in, we were asked if we were with the dog show. A bunch of the dogs (and their owners, trainers, handlers, groomers, judges, etc.) for the Westminster Dog Show were staying at our hotel! It so reminded me of the movie "Best in Show", and I immediately wondered if they were overbooked and were going to make someone sleep in the janitor's closet.

We quickly figured out the subway and took the 2 down to Canal Street. I picked up 6 pashminas (and I use that term loosely) for $20! I was happy. I love "pashmina" scarves! Matt also got a scarf. I didn't pick up any purses or anything. We ate lunch in Little Italy and split a panini and cannoli. It was Matt's very first cannoli, and it was delicious (and expensive - $6 for one little cannoli... welcome to NY!). We then walked down Broadway to the financial district and made our way over to the World Trade Center site.

It's nice to see they are doing work there now, and they are doing a lot of it! What a huge construction site. Matt was wishing we could get the VIP tour. This picture was taken from inside the World Financial Center. We walked outside toward the Hudson to get a little glimpse of Lady Liberty and to play in the snow.



We then headed toward Wall Street to check out the New York Stock Exchange and saw some other cool buildings and whatnot along the way.

George Washington took the Oath of Office here.

NYSE

We walked around a little more and then made our way back to the hotel to check in and grab a drink before the art opening and dinner. We went to an Irish pub near our hotel, and since I hadn't eaten much that day, I actually got fairly tipsy off two Stellas. It was kind of embarassing. We went back to the hotel and got ready and headed to the gallery in Chelsea where Matt's best friend, Max, works. We hung out there for a while, marveled over the $25,000 pieces of aluminum with holes in them called diaphans (they were pretty cool though). Then we ate at Pastis, which was great. We had the Malbec oysters (YUM), beef tartar (YUM... yes I like raw food), and I had the grilled mahi and Matt had... well, I don't remember, but it was some fish and he loved it. It was an excellent dinner.

Yum!

Friday morning we walked from our hotel through Times Square and over to Rockefeller Center and headed up to the Top of the Rock. It was a great view, but it was definitely cold at the very top where there's nothing to shield you from the wind.

In the middle of Times Square.

The Times Square NYE ball.

Central Park

We went to a little Venezuelan restaurant in the East Village for lunch and had the most amazing arepas. It was worth the subway ride and walking, for sure. If you live in or are visiting NY, check out Caracas Arepas Bar. I recommend A6 - Reina Pepiada.

We were so cold that we walked around a little more and then headed back to the hotel. That night we went to an awesome (and VERY expensive) Greek restaurant called Milos Estatoria with Max and Jen. Since the oysters were so good the night before, we got a dozen more and then Matt and I split the tomato salad and grilled octopus. So delicious. Then we went to see "In the Heights." OH. MY. HEAVENS. If you are going to NY, RUN to see that show. If not, pray it comes to your city when it goes on tour. It was SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO good. SO good, just in case I didn't make myself clear. I really wanted them to start over from the beginning when it was done.

Saturday we went to the Met and then met one of my best friends, Melissa, and her fiance Evan for a late lunch and Bloodies at the Boathouse in Central Park. I wanted to steal the Van Gogh irises off the wall of the Met, but I didn't think I would have made it two feet before they shot me in the head.

We walked back up 5th Avenue and stopped in St. Patrick's. I didn't take any pictures of the inside even though others were, because it was the Vigil Mass. I actually participated in about 10 minutes of Mass before I decided Matt was probably wondering where the heck I disappeared to inside the Church. I lit a candle and prayed then headed back to the hotel.

The Plaza Hotel - wish we stayed here! :)

That night we went to Buddakan with Max, Jen, and my best friend Jenn's sister Lindsey. Once again, a great meal and better company. We went to a fun little bar afterward. This led to doing nothing on Sunday before we had to catch our flight. :) But, we had a good time.

Linds and me

On the roof of Max's building at... oh... 4 am

As you can see, it was a long few days! Ha.

We slept in and made brunch at Max and Jen's apartment Sunday and then just vegged out until we headed to LaGuardia. We were so tired. Matt actually fell asleep in the cab, and then we got to the airport to find we had a 2 hour delay. All we wanted to do was get in our bed. Well, 2 hours turned into many more and it was very late (or early?) when we got home. But, at least it was AirTran's fault and not the weather, so we got a free flight out of it. :)

All in all, it was an awesome trip. We were ready to get home, but I'm not waiting 10 years before I go back again!