I’M Home!!

[Smowball]

Wow, what a week in New York! I’ve flown in a helicopter around the Statue of Liberty, been in a boat down the Hudson River, hopped on and off buses downtown and uptown, and ridden on the subway. I’ve been to the top of the Rockefeller Centre, been to Macy’s, walked round Central Park, been to the hotel in Home Alone..... I’ve had my photo taken with the armed police outside Trump Towers, watched a news interview outside the U.N building... I’ve watched the Thanksgiving Day Parade and eaten a hot dog in Times Square. I’ve drank champagne for lunch and then bought a homeless young man a hot takeaway and coffee and sat with him on a wooden pallet outside a doorway and gave him a hug. I’ve watched Phantom of the Opera on Broadway and seen where Harrison Ford lives.......

I could go on and on, the list is endless....... an absolutely amazing place. The only downside is the cost of eating and drinking out- I live in London and so am used to extortionate prices, but New York is on another level ! $20 for two beers!! And that’s the same everywhere - the hotels as well as the little Irish pubs in the side streets all charge the same. $19 dollars for burger and chips!
But it’s good to be home!

[emmie]

sounds like you had a wonderful time, so much to do, and so much it costs. i was lucky i spent two weeks in NY and we did the same,
how i envy you, you will have good memories for ever.

[jno]

yay, sounds fab!

Wish I was there but as you get old, the cost of travel insurance for going to the USA is ginormous.

[murraymints]

sounds like a good time... did you do the night flight ?

[nailit]

Blimey Smow, packed a month into a week there! So glad you had a good time after the events of the last few months :-)

[Smowball]

Yep did the night flight - was just amazing. Have some incredible photos.

[nailit]

You going post some on FB Smow?

[Samuraisan]

Sounds fantastic smow! One day we will do the same. Yesterday I was talking to my nephew who also has just come back ( did you bump into him ther :) ) and he also was saying how very expensive it is to drink and dine.

[Smowball]

I’ve already posted a few on FB. and yes eating and drinking out is cripplingly expensive - I honestly don’t know how anybody could afford to live there.

[zebo]

Did you go for a month???? Sounds amazing, I'm so jealous, we can't go as OH gets 'funny' on wide roads, he walks like John Wayne without his horse. Is the UN building still open, you used to be able to wander round, it was amazing but that was almost 30 years ago?

[Smowball]

No the U.N building is surrounded by high barriers/railings but you can get pretty close.

[queenofmean]

If I gave you my email would you tell me more!

[Zacs-Master]

Wow. You did a lot! Top of the Rock is great isn’t it!

[pastafreak]

Oh, I'm so glad you had a wonderful experience. Funny how tourists do and see way more than those of us who've lived there. ;-)
I was also shocked at how expensive it's become to dine out...I spent $20 (£16) on 2 bowls of soup and garlic bread, and about $27 (£22) on burgers and cheesy fries. And that was 30 miles outside the city. Yet supermarket prices seem cheaper than here in the UK.

[Baldric]

It's a great place to visit, last there about 5 years ago, planning to do it again next year if Mrs B is up to it. she loved it as well, wouldn't go without her.

[gness]

Lovely to hear you've had such a great time, Smow.....x

[Tilly2]

Did you get on ok at the airport, going in?

[Smowball]

Sorry guys - mad day.
Yes airport was fine - we flew into Newark and it’s lovely..
QOM -of course!
Yep the top of the rock is just amazing! If I knew how to post the video I took I would...

[tonyav]

Sooooo then Smow, are you an uptown gal now ;-)

[Smowball]

Lol nah! Still a London girl. Heard some really funny facts tho - did you know that when the Pope visits the U.S he stays in an apartment bought by the Vatican in New York. And guess who lives in the apartment next door ? Bill Cosby lol

[tonyav]

And guess who lives in the apartment next door ? Bill Cosby lol

Handy for confession though, Smow !.