Totally unconcious until 4.30am, up at 5 to put the kettle on and go for papers and ice for JR's ice pack, (to ice hip... not head ;) Headed for breakfast and shopping at Macy's. JR and I and H&M split into two pairs to shop in different directions. We headed for the Bobbi Brown counter for something I've had my eye on for years and thought NY would be the place to buy it, but I wasn't overly inspired by the shop assisant and so left empty handed. JR and I had a wander around Victoria's Secret which is just accross the road but I left empty hadnded from there too, then we decided to stake out the cafeteria with a tea and a coffee, (and some M&M's for me,) while we waited to meet up again with H&M. While we waited, we chatted with a nice woman from Baltimore, we discussed the perils of sore feet. She was there for the day on business, had brought her two sons with her, (plus one son's girlfriend,) and she told us how she'd just got engaged this past June at a Restaurant in Central Park, I congratulated her and she seemed still, so thrilled. The Restaurant was "something on the lake," I think, sounded very romantic anyway. She was lovely.
The four of us joined forces again, then we made one last stop to the shoe department where JR purchased, (after M and I did a reccy,) some very comfy trainer/walking/hiking type shoes, they look so comfy. 90 minutes later, JR's feet were coccooned in comfiness.
Shortly afterwards, JR and I decided to head back to the hotel and I hailed my first NYC cab to get us there. I had a quick freshen up then left JR to have a soak in the tub while I headed out on my own for a near by Gap, (how brave am I?) I felt sure I'd be able to spend some of the Christmas money that was burning a hole in my pocket but alas, I left empty handed from there too. I didn't see anything that made me want to part with any hard earned cash. I would have walked further onto the next store which took my fancy only it was raining so hard, and with no brolly, I was getting soaked for the 3rd time in 2 days and so decided to head back to the hotel.
I've started to list my "when I get home" pland and my "New Year" plan, or should I say... "latest plans," for when I get home. I have so much to do when I do get back, (Christmas related,) that not only do I need a plan, but I also need to get myself in hand too.
What I love about these "time outs," (out of normal life,) is that it gives you a chance to look in at what you've been upto and evaluate. Mine was long overdue for an overhaul. It's funny that when I'm in the thick of it, I look forwrd to stepping out of it for a break, and when I'm on a break, I always can't wait to get back and make changes.
JR and I headed out around 4.15pm in order to make our way to Carmine's to meet up with H&M. We wandered around the Bryant Park Christmas Market on the way and dipped into a couple of shops at my request, but it was raining very heavily and by the time we arrived at Carmine's, just off Times Square, we were soaked. We were told 45 minutes to an hour for a table, which is usual but we ended up waiting 90 minutes. If we didn't know the food and atmosphere was so good, we would have walked before hand. We finally got our table and we enjoyed a delicious salad followed by melt in your mouth shrimp and angel hair pasta in red sauce.
It was still raining heavily when we came out and so we jumped in a cab back to the hotel. I had a quick shower and blasted the head dry, then JR and I joined H&M in their room for an after dinner drink, gab and unwind. I was in bed by 10.30 and out like a light.
I stirred early the next day, I didn't feel too bad but just felt tired, so I stayed put while all was quiet. I watched from my bed, the creeping dawn as it gradually cast its sunlight on the sky scrapers that I could see from the room window, something I hadn't witnessed before as it was usually dark when I got up.
There is a definite chill in the air this morning, the TV news tells us some parts of Philly have had flooding and other parts of the country, snow. I nip down to the little shop next door to the hotel, (called PAX,) for oatmeal for JR and fruit salad for me, then back to the room to enjoy a leisurely breakfast and chill for an hour before heading for the Waldorf = Astoria.
The Waldorf = Astoria is one of the Grand Dames of New York and she really is beautiful. We were booked on to a back of house tour at 10.30am, and we were there in plenty of time, ready to convene under the beautiful clock in the lobby, a gift from Queen Victoria after the Chicago World Fair of 1893. Our tour guide, Karen was running a little late due to a home emergency which was so easily forgivable as Karen was worth waiting for. I have never before witnessed anyone so enthusiastic about a subject or someone who clearly loved their job so much. Karen is a great storyteller and was spellbinding in her delivery. We heard all about the Astor family, the construction of the original Waldorf, the construction of the hotel we were standing in, the calibre of those who had stayed there, who had played there. We were even allowed into the working, and very busy kitchens and also into the Presidential Suite, as Karen pointed out, we were really honoured that day, we were in the room Caroline Kennedy ran around in, I touched JFK's rocking chair, and we saw "Kenneth's" the hair salon where Jackie O always had her hair done.
I used to work in a hotel, many moons ago, and I believe that hotels absorb a little of what their guests bring over the threshold. Can you imagine the atmostphere of a place who has played home to the likes of; JFK, Jackie O, Roosevelt, Judy Garland, Lena Horne, Cole Porter, Marilyn Monroe? Louis Armstrong's final performance took place in the Empire Room.
After the tour, we all headed for lunch in "Peacock Alley," and it was delicious. After a very leisurely lunch, JR and I headed for Ground Zero. Security is tight, as you would expect, and they must have hundreds of visitors each day. It's a tranquil place. The sheer size of the reflecting pools, the man made waterfalls, takes your breath away. The reflecting pools each stand in the footprints of the twin towers. JR and I wandered around each pool seperately, I silently read the names inscribed as I walked, there are so many. It's such a beaufiful place, not at all maudlin or melancholy, just fitting, honourable and moving.
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