More New York City Visit

We had but two full days in New York. The first day we crammed in so much in spite of the chilly temperatures. We went to see the 9/11 memorial, a fitting and serene setting for people to reflect on that day and the people who were killed. The last time we had visited together had been just months after the tragedy when there had been just a gigantic hole in the ground surrounded by a makeshift fence and every inch filled with photos, dedications and memorabilia of those killed. It had been very emotional and impossible not to shed a tear. It was still very emotional seeing the new memorial, but time had lessened the shock and the pain that we had felt the first time. 
Our next choice was whether to go to the Empire State Building the same day or wait until the following day. It was very cold but the air was crystal clear, the sun was shining and the sky was blue, promising great views. Although it was Sunday we decided to go. There were a lot of people but we didn't have to wait more than half an hour and it was well worth it. I had never been up there before and the views were indeed spectacular and breathtaking.  One side was closed because of falling ice but we could peer out into every direction for miles.  
We decided to take a bus to the Seaport as we had visited this on several occasions in the past and really liked it there. From here you also get one of the best views of the Brooklyn Bridge and as the sun was setting the bridge took on a golden glow - just magnificent!  We had also enjoyed a restaurant called Jeremy's which David had introduced me to on my first visit to New York in 1999. It is an unpretentious place in which bras hang from the ceiling. The food is basic but good and you can get cider, one of my favourite (alcoholic) drinks. We settled for seafood and by this time we were both pretty exhausted with aching legs - time to head back to Charlie and the magic bus. 
Our last day in New York was without any particular plans. David had to do the accounts in the morning and pay bills, so we had a late start. It was a little more cloudy and hazy than the day before and we were so happy we had visited the big tower the day before. We took the ferry across from Jersey City to the World Trade Center. The whole waterfront area around there has been rebuilt since 9/11 and there was a small duck/fish pond where we landed. We wandered through the atrium and took the subway to Greenwich Village. We'd considered going later and seeing the world's biggest Halloween Parade which was due to start at 7pm, but chickened out at the prospect of being stuck for three hours with possible rain and lots of drunken witches and vampires. What we did see was the kids' parade which was a delight. I think this is what Halloween is really about and seeing all those cute kids dressed up was more than enough for me. They were all so happy and we did see a lot of what would follow later - adults in costume. We sat a while in Washington Square which David told me was the scene for a lot of the sixties music and the peace movements of the time. Just about everyone in the music business had hung out around there at one time or another and the air had been thick with the smell of pot. Now it was thick with the smell of popcorn and cotton candy (candy floss).  The whole area was alive and buzzing and tonight especially so with the upcoming parade. There were dozens of cops on every street corner but the mood everywhere was happy. We were tempted to stay on but both of us were tired and aching and the prospect of 200 plus miles the next day convinced us to go back before the parade. We got the PATH train back to Grove Street and soaked in the Halloween atmosphere of Jersey City, then went back to our home on wheels.   Lynda