NYC Tour - Day 2

[chalet05]

New York City - Day 2, September 9, 2013
This is a rough draft of what will become my blog post eventually.
I went out to the bus early enough to get a seat closer to the front - 5 or 6 rows back. Because the people in the far back seat really can't see much, it was decided I could sit up behind the driver with the guide. Not bad!
At yesterday's orientation, it was announced that the 2nd row seat on one side was reserved for a member of the group who has motion sickness. By the time the day was over, there were two more!
I cannot begin to remember everything this guide tells us! Some things are of more interest than others - I was never a good history student. She does talk about the Dutch settling here and creating New Amsterdam. That is of great interest to me because some of my ancestors were founders - the main one being Resolved Waldron who held different positions including sheriff. Another was Claude Delameter who liked to create a little controversy with his neighbors from time to time.
We did stop to photograph a couple of buildings - more about that when I really get to the blog with photos. Part of this was a walk through a park where they were filming for a new Comedy Central show. We drove by portions of NYU where my cousin's son is a student. This school has buildings in various places in New York and no dorms at the main campus so they have shuttle buses.
Then we drove to Chinatown arriving way before our noon lunch reservation. This is only my second RV tour, and I know they need to leave some breathing room, but killing time isn't fun when there really isn't anything around to do. I did go across the street to a beautiful old church, but otherwise many of us just stood around.
The Peking Duck House on Mott Street was fantastic - guess it was worth the waiting around. First was the egg drop soup. Then a spring roll and a sausage in a pastry of some sort. We watched as they carved the duck and arranged it with sauce and vegetables on something that resembled a tortilla making a wrap. Now we are all thinking this is great and not a lot of food. Wrong! They slowly brought out the rice, sweet and sour chicken, a beef dish, some wonderful prawns, a veggie dish, followed by a deep fried banana for dessert.
While we waited, a funeral procession passed by. The first vehicle had a large portrait of the deceased surrounded by flowers and the bed of the vehicle was filled with flowers.
To walk off our lunch, we walked half way across the Brooklyn Bridge (and back). That was a treat. I have to say it is embarrassing to be with this group that doesn't get they are blocking sidewalks and walkways so other people can't get by. I can just hear what people are thinking.
There is a great ice cream shop under the bridge, and that was our next stop. Yum - butter pecan.
Now we have time to kill before we go to Katz's Deli so we drive around and around as buildings are pointed out in neighborhoods we will be coming back to for a walking tour - not my cup of tea. Katz's Deli is where that famous scene from When Harry Met Sally was filmed. I decided before I came here that I wanted a Reuben sandwich. Didn't happen because I wasn't that hungry - and they were some-thing like $16! So I enjoyed a beer and then a piece of New York cheesecake to go. A model is being photographed on the sidewalk across the street. For her clothing change, helpers held a blanket around her and she changed right there.
More driving around and around. Now remember, I am sitting up front so I am hearing how this guide is planning how to kill time. She keeps telling the poor bus driver over and over that he needs to go as slow as possible! Some of us are feeling sorry for him.
Eventually, we arrive at Pier 17 where we will board a water taxi for a trip to see the Statue of Liberty at night. Oh wait, we are way too early!! We have been passing a trapeze school as we go back and forth from the campground. They have a rig set up at the pier. Now that was fun to watch!! I don't know if these were students or people 'off the street' who paid for the experience. I was fascinated by trapeze artists as a child.
Pier 17 has been there 28 years and has several little shops and a restaurant or two. As we are going in, a news reporter is interviewing a young lady. Later we see this reporter 'reporting'. It turns out this is the last day for all the little shops as someone has decided this building should be torn down and replaced with something more modern. Some New Yorkers are not happy.
We now board the water taxi. What a rough ride as we watch other tours on yacht types sailing by. I had noticed two spotlights pointing upward. As it turns out, they are shining from Ground Zero in memory of the World Trade Center Towers and those lights into the sky are quite impressive. The Statue of Liberty, which looks so small from a distance, was lit up in all her glory - I had only seen her in daylight before.
I am already in my PJs so when fireworks went off over the water at 9:45 p.m., I only had a peek-a-boo view out the window. Since I was told there were fireworks Saturday night as well, I will be prepared after this - just in case.

[Nasoosie]

Wonderful account, Anita! A tour is something I never did, and it sounds like a combination of fun-without-having-to-drive and impatience while-having-to-wait for events! I think seeing the Liberty Lady at night would be impressive, as would seeing the tower lights. I love the way you report your trip! Thanks for taking the time to share it with us all!

[MelissaD]

When I lived in RIverhead, out on Long Island in the early 90's, I use to enjoy day trips on the train into NYC. Had a nice lunch at Katz one day but did not know the cost as I was being treated by a gentleman friend who lived in the city The little tickets they give you are kind-a interesting order method. Use to go to a club down on Houston and C that was pretty crazy. The place was a dance club in the early 1900's but its just a ghost of its former glory. The Talking Heads filmed the video Burning Down the House there. The history and architecture of the city is very interesting. Glad I don't live there anymore though

[Redwahine]

What a fun tour. Can't wait to see the pictures.

[dayspring39]

Thanks so much for jogging my memory... my sister Wilma took me to NY and the Statue of Liberty and Ellis a few years ago maybe 10 or 12 not sure... we did not tour NY our main interest was the Lady and Ellis island... and yes to boot I did walk up the stairs in the Lady!
You are seeing so much in such a short amount of time... thank you for the tour...
Kathleen

[BirdbyBird]

My son has invited me to come to NYC and visit. I have never been but it would be nice to have at least some one to tour with. I figure that my son is so seldom actually in the city, I would need to find my own touring options.....

Thanks for wetting my imagination and bumping dreams up higher on "The List."

[snowball]

I can't imagine ever being able to go to NYC so this is my trip as well..thanks for sharing and looking forward to the photo's
sheila