These past several months I've had the pleasure of traveling and seeing things through different eyes - those in awe of virgin territory.   

 

Some of the humor eludes me as the memories are not as fresh as I'd like,  but hey,  if the writing sucks,  you can at least enjoy the pictures!

 

Do you have a wish list?  Things you've always wanted to do or see, places you've always wanted to go?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My constant companion is a West coast Native.  (you'll know him as Mr Parts) Having never been east, he came armed with a prioritized list of ...

"Things to see before I die".

On our first leg of the list, we were joined by a very good mutual friend from New Zealand .  Her desire to see the States came with the dilemma of East or West.  She jumped at the chance of  visiting us together... dilemma solved!

 

What do you think the first place is on everyone's list?  New York City - Manhattan - the  glitz and glamor of a city that never sleeps.  The Hollywood of the east cost per-say.  I have family here,  so I 've been there numerous times...and seen plenty beyond the glam of it all  <SIGH>... my first thought! - Here 's your bus ticket,  pack your things,  hugs and kisses, buh bye- tell me all about it when you get back!!!

But no..I had to play tour guide...and DRIVE.  Do you know what it's like to drive in Manhattan???  -  I love it.... (insert evil laugh here!)   Blaring the horn,  yelling obscenities in Italian out the window ('cause that is the only Italian I know!)  -- the smell of the city-  oh yeah...I love it! 

  

Hot  dogs on central park- you have to get the onion sauce on them to truly get the New York experience.  Sabretts hot dogs- the best - used to be a treat,  because you couldn't get them anywhere else...  but now-a-days,  you can get them at the local grocery store! 

Central park is littered with future "stars" pan handling their talents like jugglers,  mimes,  portrait artists , and sweet music being played by an undiscovered street musician.  It's easy to get lost in the beauty of Central park -  sometimes it's hard to believe you're in the middle of a huge bustling city! 

Times square,  of course, was at the top of the order. TGIFridays on the square has a web cam,  that archives daily pictures taken at noon... We HAD to be there - time to play beat the clock halfway through the city on foot!~

The best Italian pastries anywhere on the east coast can only be found in Manhattan. Can't forget- New York Cheese cake - OMG to die for!

<GRAND Central Station>

      

And the shopping,  Saks 5th ave is a little above me,  but What you can't beat the vendors lining the sidewalk on Canal street.  Designer knock-offs are the best,  I don't care what anyone says.  The difference can't be seen,  unless you look really close - And  come on,  if  you're looking THAT close, well....you can't see anything in the dark! 

You can also find just released films on DVD in the streets of New York. ... although I think that's illegal.  They are everywhere and easily obtainable.... buyer beware though,  the quality can be very bad....not that I've ever bought any!!!   

Aside from the knock-offs,  you can find so many wonderful handcrafted items by local artists trying to make a buck.  That's where I get my best treasures.  There are some very talented people there.

Soho and Greenwich village of course is the very trendy,  artsy -fartsy side of New York.  If you love to cook,  great markets can be found here,  with fresh produce,  meats, fresh everything really and many items,  hard to find in my area, good for tasty ethnic dishes.