Tuesday, May 31, 2005

NYC Trip: Day 4--The Empire State Building, Wall Street, Ground Zero, Phantom, and Sardi's

Well folks, today was another pretty full day and I've got the pictures to prove it! We started our day on top of the Empire State Building. The view was a little hazy, but great. We wandered around South Manhattan a little (not nearly enough, but we have plans to go back!) and then came home to get ready for our first big night. Tonight was the first of our Broadway show outings. Jen and I saw Phantom of the Opera which was the first Broadway show for both of us (I've seen a touring production of Les Mis with Joni--twice--but this was my first NY Broadway show!) After the show, we had dinner at Sardi's--that restaurant with all of the actor caricatures.

And just a little note about 'coming home'. Folks, here's a tip from someone who knows: if you ever come to New York, sublet an apartment. It's so nice to come home to a 'home' and not some cramped little hotel room. Kudos to Bonny for the idea! Ok, now here are today's pictures:

South Manhattan through the observation deck railing

The Southwest coast of Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island

Central park (right) and the Upper West Side

I just love the Chrysler building!

Bonny and Jen on top of the Empire State Building

Me on top of the Empire State Building

Jen on the Subway. After we took a few pictures, we started talking to this lady on the side of Jen. She turned out to be a retired school teacher and was SO sweet...we've found that most of the native New Yorker's that we've met have blown the New Yorker stereotype out of the water. They have been SO friendly and helpful!

Bonny and Me on the subway

Trinity Church


A shot from the back corner of the grounds

Some beautiful old tombstones in the cemetery on the grounds of Trinity Church

The grave of Alexander Hamilton


Wall Street

The New York Stock Exchange

Ground Zero

Ground Zero

The steeple of St Paul's--the church directly across the street from the World Trade Center

An inside view

I just thought this was too coincidental seeing as Bonny is from Houston and Jen and I are from Lafayette. (Although, it's pronounced 'how-ston' here)

Inside Rocky's in Little Italy

Me Jen and Bonny at Rocky's

Our apartment is on the corner of 51st and 2nd so I thought I'd represent!

Tonight Jen and I went to see Phantom of the Opera. It was my first Broadway show and it was GREAT! Can't wait until I get to go again...oh, wait--that would be tomorrow night!

Me in front of the Phantom of the Opera poster...we're such tourists! ;)

Me and Jen at Phantom (Hey look Katie, I'm wearing my turquoise!)

Inside the theater

Bonny went to see Spamalot while we were in Phantom and when we came out to meet her, the actors were coming out to sign autographs. This is Christopher Sieber. Jen and I were too short to see over the crowd so we stood behind and waited for Bonny while she took some pics. While we were there, we couldn't help but eavesdrop on his conversation with some friends. Apparently, "the blonde was ok for a while, but it's got to go" so he's getting a haircut tomorrow. Ahhhh, the lifestyles of the rich and (somewhat) famous! ;)

A picture of someone's Verizon cellphone with Hank Azaria in the background. :)

David Hyde Pierce's forehead! :)

After our shows, we had dinner at Sardi's. I didn't want to appear tacky at such a nice restaurant, so I was taking 'covert' shots...so I got a picture of an empty chair...but someone famous COULD have sat there!!

A somewhat better covert shot of the restaurant

Bonny, Me, and Jen at Sardi's

One last not-so-covert shot of Sardi's. Rue McClanahan (Blanche Dubois on Golden Girls) was sitting just out of sight on the left.

Monday, May 30, 2005

NYC Trip: Day 3--the Intrepid, a three-hour tour, and more shots of the city

Today was Memorial day so we decided to be good American citizens and attend the Memorial Day Ceremony on the deck of the USS Intrepid. After we inspected the ship, we went on a three-hour boat tour around Manhattan Island. And of course now I'm posting WAY too many pics! If it makes you feel any better, I took 365 pictures today and I'm only posting the ones I liked the best... ;)


...and Jen makes three! Today was the first day all three of us tripped about. Let's see how it went, shall we?

The USS Intrepid


A plaque on the flight deck of the Intrepid

I just thought this was a sweet shot

Two fly-bys in missing man formation completed the ceremony. This was my first time to see it in person and it was a very moving experience.

The second fly-by


WWII veteran Addi Verilli being interviewed (I didn't meet her on the ship--we just saw an interview with her on the news)

What could they be talking about?!

Isn't this cute!

Marines are so cool!

Members of the Pakistani Navy

French sailors--I think their uniforms are so cute!

on the Bridge of the Intrepid