New York at Christmas

NEW YORK REPORT!
I got to tag along with Chris on a "business trip" to NY. He really only had one day of business, but we extended and stayed 5 nights. It was my first time staying in the city and his first time to really get to sight see although he's been a few times. We've been dream-planning this trip for awhile.

What we did:
EXPLORED! We saw mummies and antique furniture at the MET and saw the whole city from the top of the Empire State Building. We traveled all over the subway and loved watching the street performers and the people in general. We even saw a couple with horns -- real implanted horns! A whole bunch of people tried to convert me to judaism. I guess I looked like I needed some religion. We went to church though, and loved how it's the same everywhere. Except they say "Good morning" when each speaker gets up and greets the audience. We in California always assume it's kind of a rhetorical greeting, but it sure felt friendly. We even heard Wilson Phillips perform at a tree lighting ceremony in Bryant Park(even though I begged, they didn't sing "Hold on", so sad!). We shopped in Times Square and bartered in China town. It's kind of scary how that place actually feels (and smells!) like China. Then you step across the street to little Italy and you're surrounded my mafia speaking Italian and using the hand gestures (not the bad ones, the Italian ones).

EAT! We found a heavenly gluten free restaurant -- Risotteria (they give you GF breadsticks as you sit down to order! Chris still loves me even though he watched me enhale them like an animal!). I didn't stop eating because I could actually eat everything! The pizza, the risotto, the black and white cookie....so delicious!
I also hit the Shake Shack during Chris' meetings and never wanted to leave, but felt bad sitting too long because so many people wanted my spot! I'm still dreaming about their special sauce....Wendy's even tasted good there. All that trekking makes a girl hungry!

Walked and Ran....a lot! I LOVED jogging through central park because I got to run past all the crowds and go wherever I wanted. You can still see the city but you feel like you're protected from it somehow. And walking across brooklyn bridge at dusk is like magic! So beautiful!

There's so much to do there it's actually really exhausting! The whole city kind of sucks you in with all of its excitement and energy. But we left snow flurries to come home to 75 degree sunshine and thought....there's no place like home!

Here's the magical moment on Brooklyn Bridge. The sun broke through the clouds, warmed us up, and set the skyline on fire!
The Staten Island Ferry -- it's free and offers a great view of the Statue of Liberty.
Here she is -- that Lady of Freedom in all of her glory. This is the best shot we could get.
Times Square feels kind of like the great and spacious building in real life. At the same time you can't help but like it at the same time. My favorite moment -- a group of young adult Jewish men singing and dancing spontaneously around a giant menorah.
Here's a picture of Chris and I...I mean Chris' friend "the bull" and I in the financial district. He was riveted by all of the business going on down there. I liked the old cemetary next to the Trinity church.