‘A baseball club is part of the chemistry of the city…….’

29

Jul

July 29, 2013 by Karen

“A baseball club is part of the chemistry of the city. A game isn't just an athletic contest. It's a picnic, a kind of town meeting.”

New York Yankees President Michael Burke

We wanted to experience a baseball game while we were in New York and booked tickets to see the second day of the Yankees against the Minnesota Twins.

We were up in the nose bleed section but enjoyed the view.

One of the largest flags I have ever seen was unravelled during the pre-game festivities.

Blue fairy floss anyone?

Unfortunately the Yankees lost 4-1 but It was still great to experience the food and the atmosphere.

‘The 4th of July is a time for hotdogs, donning red, white and blue and for fireworks.’

21

Jul

July 21, 2013 by Karen

'The 4th of July is a time for hotdogs, donning red, white and blue and for fireworks.'

www.babble.com

We celebrated with a walk down towards Times Square for the fourth of July holiday.

Walking past the Empire State building on the way.

Love it or hate it, the intersection of Broadway and Seventh Ave (better known as Times Square) is New York City's hyperactive heart; a restless, hypnotic torrent of glittering lights, bombastic billboards and raw urban energy. It's not hip, fashionable or in-the-know, and it couldn't care less. It's too busy pumping out iconic, mass-marketed NYC – yellow cabs, golden arches, soaring skyscrapers and razzle-dazzle Broadway marquees.

It seems we were not the only people with the same idea!

Can you spot the iPad tourist?!

I love Times Square! Where else can you see a naked cowboy playing his guitar in the middle of a traffic island?

My favourite thing I saw was a furless cat sitting on a rubbish bin wearing pink star shaped glasses. Unfortunately I did not get a photograph!

The atmosphere was certainly festive!

The mounted police were even getting into the holiday spirit by posing with their horses for photos.

In the evening we headed up to the roof terrace on the Penthouse level of the apartment block. We were very fortunate to see the Fourth of July fireworks from up there (along with what seemed like the rest of the building.)

The Empire state building celebrate in style with special red, white and blue lights!

The new 'Freedom tour' lights up in red, white and blue every night.

The view up town towards Times Square.

We had a great day, even if we only managed one of the three things suggested for the fourth of July.

Your first sight of New York is like losing your virginity…………

20

Jul

July 20, 2013 by Karen

“Your first sight of New York is like losing your virginity. Although you've heard so much about it and seen it in countless movies- both Vaseline lenses and graphically depicted-you don't get it until you've finally had the experience.”

Kate Sekules 'City Pack New York'

I had been to New York before in the late 1990's but for Nick it was his first time. We were presented with the most amazing opportunity of living in an apartment in New York for the month of July, thanks to my gorgeous friend Milla and her extremely generous sister Sophie.

One of the first things we did was head to the roof terrace to check out the views.

Looking up 7th Avenue towards Times Square.

Looking downtown towards the new 'Freedom tower.'

We covered a lot of miles on foot during our first week exploring the local neighbourhood and a little future afield.

The Flatiron building, one of my favourites!

Having a coffee break at La Maison du macaron, a great French place famous for macaroons!

Check out all the window mounted air conditioner units!

We loved this approach to a lack of car parking space!

Back of the Flatiron building.

Yep – they really do have those fire escapes you see in the movies!

We met up with Brett and Elena for a walk on 'The High Line' and then a great dinner at Co, a great pizza place in our neighbourhood.

Another day we wandered down through Greenwich and Soho.

We spotted this ripper in the window of a shop on the way home and could not resist taking a photo!

Despite the sign we needed to loiter in this door way to shelter from the rain.

Loitering a little later again when the rain really came bucketing down.

After a few days we felt like we were really getting New York and were looking forward to experiencing every bit of it over the next month.

Birthdays are like beers……….

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Jul

July 16, 2013 by Karen

“Birthdays are like beers…The more you have, the harder it is to get up in the morning”

On the 11th of July mum turned 70 and we planned a whole birthday bonanza of activities to celebrate. Dad lashed out with two dozen red roses, after a bit of persuasion!