Blitzkrieg Blog Day 2: NYC 1_2

27 June 2009: We have many NYC pictures from the day, but I am trying to give you the highlights so I can get caught-up.

When you come into NYC by train, this is where it drops you off--Penn Station, underneath Madison Square Garden. You can watch professional hockey, basketball, or boxing here.

Cristy wearing another one of Mandy's shirts. She is either trying to fit in with the trendy NYC locals or hail a yellow cab.

The Empire State Building. PS: Everything we took pictures of in NYC was in Manhattan. Right now we are in mid-Manhattan.

Inside the Empire State building, Cristy has forced me to take a picture by King Kong, one of my adult-life male role models. He's a beast, if you know what I mean.

The Broadway play "Lion King" is the main reason we came to NYC. It was spectacular. If you ever go, don't miss out on this amazing play, regardless of the price.

The dirty subway was how we got around Manhattan so efficiently in two days. Pretty easy to get lost, but contrary to popular belief, people are so friendly. Just don't get on the rail after dark!

You can see in the map beside Cristy how complicated the metro is!

Chinatown! Now we are on Lower-Manhattan.

...and walking through Little Italy...

...back to Chinatown! It's geography 101. Duh.

The Chinatown markets are amazing--much thanks to Mandy and George for getting lost and recommending them. We brought this early morning snack pack of strawberries for only $1!

Fish Market. Not for the feint of smell.

Confucius Park or something like that. Lots of Yoga and Tai Chi by old Asian men.

This pretty neat fountain is in a plaza within City Hall. City Hall, actually, is one of the smallest buildings we saw in NYC. Ironic.

Of course, when you have behemoth buildings like this right beside City Hall, that is likely to happen.

There weren't enough free weights in the gym, so I decided to work on my back while we were out.

South Broadway intersects with Wall St. in the Financial District. Maybe they should sell that sign and give me my tax dollars back.

NYC Stock Exchange. About twenty feet to the left is where George Washington gave his first inaugural address.

Yep. Proof.

The building you see in all the movies.

Please spend a few moments looking at the face of these poor statue children. Why is their cement on their cheekbones? Acid rain didn't do that Mr. Architect.

One of the many Trump buildings in NYC. They are big and beautiful.

Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges. Funny--I've seen them get destroyed in so many movies, and yet here they are. Maybe Spiderman helps rebuild it?

And the mysterious bumble bee building...

Raging Bull. It is very difficult to get a picture by this famous sculpture.

A catholic church by the financial district.

Ground Zero. The gaping hole in the middle of all of these buildings is pretty staggering in person. I was kind of a reality check.

We counted seventeen cranes working on different areas of the construction site. I think what they are building will look something like...

...this! We can't wait to visit upon completion.

Another metro trip brought us to the NYC Public Library. Right next door is this crazy-sloped building.

A side-view of the library, with the Empire State building in the background. The park to the right has a large stage for amateur bands and theatre (Bryant Park).

I was just sitting down and admiring the pretty pictures when Cristy mentions that the paintings must depict "the progression of Literature." Wow Cristy--you're so smart!

The main hall. Cristy is reading about greek mythology.

I'm not sure...better ask Cristy about this painting.

The Chrystler building from afar....

Which is right beside Grand Central Terminal...

...which is highly-decorative and picturesque. If you've been to Union Station in D.C., this is similiar inside.

And a detailed close-up of the Chrystler building. The architecture is amazing if you look at the small details in the picture.

Ans that's it for now. Tomorrow we finish up NYC, and the day after, Mississippi! Yay for family!