A busy day in NYC

While we are not the earliest of starters, we do seem to cram a lot of stuff into one day. We started the day off with some heavy duty line standing waiting for the ferry to get out to the Statue of Liberty. We delved into the subway first thing in the morning, just to get to this point. That was an adventure as there is every type of person ever made riding with you. We saw many nationalities, who were also on their way to Battery Park.

She is one beautiful lady. The last time I saw her was during fleet week here in '88, and she has had a facelift since then. She looks great and I hope these pictures do her justice.




















We decided not go get off the ferry at the Statue, but continued on to Ellis Island. This place was almost creepy to walk through. I couldn't help thinking just who might've walked through there. They talked some about the medical inspections that immigrants were required to go through and I kept thinking just who did we turn away from our beloved shores? Maybe someone who could have done great things had they been given the opportunities afforded only in America back then. I kept staring at the tiles thinking about the stories that walked those tiles. I am getting goosebumps thinking about it again. I cannot imagine what it must have been like to have to stand in those lines hoping that the officials would allow me to stay. I guess the line for the ferry was appropriate after all.

































Sitting in Battery Park after being completely drained by Liberty and Ellis Island, we contemplated calling it a day. After much urging, weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth, we pushed on toward Chinatown via the subway. The $7.25 all-you-can ride pass is definitely the best way to get around the city. (As a sidenote, OKC, you need to get it together and figure out some public transportation. I would gladly give up one of my cars if you would get something in addition to the buses we already have.)

We got to Chinatown just in time to have lunch, at oh about 4 pm. Since we waited so long to have lunch, we ended up eating supper. The Hebrew National hotdog we had on the ferry passed for lunch. We decided that Chinatown has everything you could ever want and more. Rolexx watches (yes that actually is spelled with two x's, at least the ones sold in Chinatown are), exotic vegetables, various and sundry seafoods, and even 15 for $1 sweet breads of which JC took full advantage. It was not unlike Seoul when I spent time there. The only difference I saw was the distinct lack of blood sausage for sale from the street vendors and too much english writing on the signs.


























We thoroughly enjoyed Chinatown, but decided it was time to head back for peace and quiet in New Jersey. We stopped for ice cream on the way home after stopping by one of our favorite new places, Passaic, New Jersey. This town is the scene of a movie we recently saw, starring Mos Def and Jack Black, entitled "Be Kind Rewind". We drove all over town looking for the actual spot the movie was supposed to have taken place, but settled for seeing a town with neighborhood stores and restaurants that looked like a place we would spend some time (in daylight).

It seems our trip is almost over when it really has just begun. We still have Philadelphia to look forward to tomorrow and DC in the days immediately after cheese steak. Look out founding fathers, congress, and military leaders: the Bowie's are about to your town!