NEW YORK!!

Yesterday we finally arrived in New York!! First thing we did is head to our hotel. The radisson in New Rochelle. Wonderful hotel!! Thanks Aunty Ness :) We dropped our bags off and then we decided we would go and see the empire state building and times square. We had to take the train since we had no interest in sitting in traffic for hours. It was really interesting, the train there is very sketchy, there is trash everywhere and some people.....very questionable! lol. Riding the train was very cool because it took us through the heart of the city. We saw alot of rough neighborhoods, don't worry grandma, it was safely from inside the train :P. It was kind of sad to see all of the worn down buildings and seeing the kind of homes some people live in. When our train finally arrived we were in grand central station, if you haven't seen this before you must go!! There is just something about it that makes you say woah, even though to every new yorker its just a train station. We decided to walk around to explore and find the empire state building. I thought i would really hate New york since i don't like crowded busy places, but there is just something about it that makes you appreciate and love it. It must be that it is so different from home and that even in the busy mess somehow it just works. We got to the building and got our tickets and rode in an elevator to the top, luckily the wait wasn't even that long nothing like the cn tower. When we got to the top we could see all around New York, and the Statue of liberty. unfortunately while we were up in the tower a storm hit! And i already don't like heights...so i wanted to get down ASAP! People were being blown all over it was kind of entertaining but not really since i was scared. We had these little phone things that when you press a button they give you information about things you see around the tower, while we were waiting to get down in the elevator, the guy in the phone said "No winds can shift this building! its so strong! blah blah blah," he just kept going on and on about how it will never be taken to the ground...sounds like hes jinxing it! or its an invitation for someone to try. Call me paranoid, but dying up in a huge tower is not on my list :)
~Cassie

After we left the Empire State building we headed for Times Square.  The pictures can't even come clothes to showing what it is like there.  There are soooo many people and shops, and so much happening while all these flashy electronic boards light up everything everywhere.  It is truly amazing!!!! 

When we came back on the train, by the time we got off and started for the stairs the people were all gone and it was just the 3 of us on the platform.  Quite spooky lol.

We have a CityPass which is a really good deal and have a choice between Top of the Rock or Guggenheim Museum (where there are van Gough and Picasso).  Since we've spent a tremendous time in tall buildings this trip we are going to take in the museum.  We're also going to visit the American Museum of Natural History (from the movie Night at the Museum) and Ground Zero.  Another busy day.  New York is go go go!!!

~Lorrie