We were a little concerned that our seats had been moved and we were not sitting together. We were hoping they could do something for us at the gate, but if not, Chris and I were planning to play up our ailments (I was coughing and had a sore throat from a cold, Chris was getting really stuffy with allergies) in hopes that we would scare someone away from us.
Fortunately we didn't have to do that since I was the first in line to ask for a seat change. Someone kindly moved their seat so we could sit next to each other. Although we promptly fell asleep before the plan even took off. I slept most of the trip, even though I did wake up about every 1/2 hour to 1 hour of the flight.
We arrived at JFK airport around 6:30 in the morning (3:30 am California time). After getting our luggage and freshening up, adding a few more layers for the cold weather, we looked for where we could drop off our luggage for the day since it was too early to check it in. We went on a bit of a wild goose chase, but finally found it. It was definitely more secure than I have experience before with leaving my luggage. They had to take a picture of me before they could take it.
We took the air train and the subway lines to get into Manhattan and ended up getting off on the very southern point of Central Park. The Apple store was just steps away, which of course was thrilling for Chris. We looked inside (Chris was quicker than I thought, but he did find that the Apple store in New York City is basically the same as the Apple store in Mission Viejo). We found a Starbucks (yes, also the same in NYC as in MV), but we needed some coffee and food and they are convenient and good...it's a staple in our diets.
I took him up Park Ave so he could see the wide avenue and the view of the buildings from there, and I thought the stores. I then realized all the ritzy stores were on Madison so we cut back over and immediately found a Godiva Chocolate store to go in and get our free chocolate for December (after all, free chocolate should never go to waste). We walked up the stores, looking in some windows until we found Laduree, a place that has a beautiful display with many flavors of the scrumptious little flaky macaron cookies. Chris chose salted carmel and I chose vanilla, but we saved this for a dessert later.
We walked up Madison until we could see the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I think Chris was so impressed with the building, he wanted to go in and look around briefly (I had no intended to take him into museums since I didn't think he was much of a fan of them). Since on my last trip it was pointed out to me that the $25 admission price was simply recommended, we each gave $1 for admission (which Chris had found his on the ground) after we dropped off our coats and the massive backpack Chris brought. Oddly, they insisted he keep his computer but only after he was given a pass for it. I didn't understand why, but they said it was security measures. I understand they don't want to be responsible for the electronics, but why was a pass necessary?
The rooftop was closed for the season, which I was afraid it would be, so I took him to the armor and weapons sections, which he did think was pretty cool. Then, we walked through the American wing to the Temple of Dendur and around some of the Egyptian artifacts (sarcophagi and the like). It is amazing to think of the age of some of these artifacts.
We left the museum and walked up to the Guggenheim so he could see that and then across to the reservoir to catch the skyline. We walked down through Central Park to the Turtle Pond and Belvedere Castle. It really is so much more beautiful in the summer time with all the green hills and wildflowers. I think with snow covering it would also be lovely but it was just fairly lifeless without snow or green. We walked back out to 5th Avenue and continued down it until we reached The Plaza hotel. Inside was a beautiful sparkling and circulating Christmas tree. I loved the wreaths hanging everywhere as well as the lights covering trees. I'm sure it's breathtaking at night, so I was sad we could not see it later that day.
We found a pizza place on Yelp called Angelo's and had pizza and pasta there. It was a cute little restaurant with the appropriate Christmas decor and cozy feel that provided a warm retreat from the cold air outside. The pizza was good, but they messed up our order. We didn't ask them to fix it since we were crunched on time. The chicken alfredo was quite tasty.
We headed back out and down 6th Street to find Rockefeller Center, which I overshot by a few streets. There were so many people by Radio City Hall, but it was quite festive with a large red ornament installation in the middle of the street and later a large multi-colored Christmas lights installation. The tree at Rockefeller was massive and quite pretty dressed in Christmas lights. It was fun to peak down at the ice skaters. I love ice skating and we had looked into going before we came, but the $95 per person express ticket reservation wasn't worth it. The line stretched out quite a ways for those waiting to pay the regular price (which I believe was still a steep $25).
We walked over the Times Square, which is always an overwhelmingly impressive amount of lights and advertisements. We saw the ball sitting atop it's perch waiting for 2013 to come in. After Chris soaked it in, we left rather quickly. I don't care to stay long since it's so crowded and really, it is just a bunch of advertisements and stores for products I can find in Orange County or a bunch of junky souvenirs.
By this point, it was getting close to the time we needed to start our trek back to the airport. One man had told us we should be at the airport by 1pm for our 7:50 flight. We thought this was a little crazy, and after asking others, we had decided that leaving at 4 would give us an hour taxi ride and almost three hours to get our checked bags and through security.
I called a car company a friend had given me the number for, and had them meet us at Bryant Park hotel. We walked down there where there was also ice skating. That would have been fun to do (and much more affordable) but there just wasn't enough time. Besides, the amount of people on the ice would have just been nerve racking to me. The park was pretty and there were several little boutique shops set up. It had a very festive feel. And Chris was able to see the Empire States Building (although he was not so impressed with it's height, but I think this was in part due to the distance it was from us yet and the other building soar fairly high into the sky anyway).
We walked into the Bryant Park Hotel, asked about where we might be meeting the taxi, which they tried to be helpful, but really didn't know. We walked back out, with 15 minutes to spare and an idea to go get the roasted nuts that smell so amazing, but there was our van with my name on it to take us to the airport. So, we climbed inside and headed out with our driver.
I was so exhausted, I could not keep my eyes open. Apparently according to Chris, neither could the driver. We are grateful we arrived back to the airport in one piece.
By this point, my throat felt better and the coughing had ceased, but my voice was raspy and at times not there. I guess that was good for Chris since he wouldn't have to hear me chatter on too much! I feel bad invading a family with this cold, and we offered to stay elsewhere, but they have refused. I'm hoping I won't be coughing at all by tomorrow and my voice will start to return.
We retrieved our luggage, then go on the air train multiple times before figuring out which terminal was really ours and even Delta bounced us back to another terminal. The check in line was short, but the security line was long and we were behind a little family of three (all adults, though you could tell one was their son). They argued over everything. I think they just liked to argue to hear themselves argue.
We made it through security (twice now with no mishaps, no searches, etc.) and then walked...and walked...and walked...and walked...to our gate. We looked and saw we had returned to another terminal. I wish I had been using runkeeper to track my miles today. I'm sure is pretty high.
We had plenty of time to charge our phones (this particular gate had iPads lining the tables with games, internet, etc. and multiple USB and regular plugs to charge all your electronics). Chris was called up to show them his travel visa for Italy. They really wanted to make sure he had that visa and all was clear. I guess that's better than letting someone on the plane that would be rejected once they reached Italy.
We boarded our plane and before too long I was napping. Of course now that I should be falling asleep, I am tired but afraid not tired enough to really sleep the night through. Although I am hoping to fall asleep here before long and wake up in Italy! So goodnight, all....
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