I posted my reflections about the memorial on my September 11th post. I thought that was most fitting. If you missed it and just can't wait to read it - scroll up a few posts.
Our next stop was Chelsea Market-#9 in 45. None of us had been before and that was something on Crystal's to do list. It reminded me of West End but way better. I guess it was just the wood floors and the little shops inside. It wasn't what we were exactly expecting but it was fun. I think we were thinking it would be a little more like a Farmer's Market - what do we know! We walked around and ate some lunch. It was a great stop.
We then proceeded back to the subway because we decided to go to Coney Island. We stopped at Starbucks on the way and got a "sweet" tea. Hey, don't get me wrong--- I DO Heart NY, but oh mylanta.... they do NOT know what sweet tea is. It was NOT the shaken sweet tea at our Texas Starbucks that is for sure. So, with our watered down non sweet (but supposed to be) teas, we continue onward. Julie needed a bathroom break and our choices...the public restroom at a hospital a few blocks away. I dared Crystal to "check in" on Facebook at the hospital but her mother would have killed us all. When we got there, the guys at the front desk were coaxing someone OUT of the bathroom that had been in there 30 minutes. I asked them if they needed my help. They said they would let me know! :) That exchange alone of getting the man out of the bathroom was pretty entertaining. Then we were off to check off #10 in 45....
#10 in 45 - CONEY ISLANDI always thought it would be fun to go to Coney Island but the other times that I have been to NYC it was too cold or there wasn't enough time to make that trek. Of course I'd seen Coney Island in many films but wasn't sure what to expect. It was Labor Day so the beach was FULL of people. It looked like a postcard.
We walked the boardwalk along with the tons of other people. Then made our way down the pier. We loved that the steel awning had Coney Island on the top so when the sun cast a shadow it showed up on the pier. We just soaked it all in. It was a beautiful day. There was this area on the pier that was made for people to just lay out and enjoy the sun so we took full advantage for about 20 minutes. I think I may even dozed off. :)
I was enthralled looking around and didn't realize that the girls had already noticed Zoltar and then I excitedly exclaimed, "Zoltar!" I wondered why they just looked at me. I was thinking, "Come on girls, you know---BIG!!" (They are younger than me but surely they knew the reference) Well, the puzzled look was that they had just announced the Zoltar as well and I totally missed that conversation. :)
The caption from Julie was, "She is really 12."
Apparently you can't go to Coney Island without going to the ORIGINAL Nathan's Hotdog. It really was good! Crystal asked me what I wanted and I told her that I would just take a bite of hers. FRIENDSHIP! LOL I had already had a funnel cake so I couldn't eat a whole hotdog by myself. The lemonade was yummy too.
Crystal wanted some cotton candy. She was so happy to see this special design. It was cool watching them make it. She was in heaven and then.....
We started walking and everyone got a taste but when the air hit this masterpiece of a pure sugar creation this was the result.....
Not so happy anymore... :(
We couldn't leave without riding the Wonder Wheel. The scenery was quite amazing....and windy.
Thanks, Coney Island for a great day of sun and fun!
We made our way to the subway station to head back to Times Square, but not without seeing some subway drama. Julie and I were waiting for Crystal and Kya and saw this girl crying and somewhat hiding behind a pillar. Julie got out of her comfort zone and asked if she was ok. She announced it was her boyfriend - they had a fight. We thought maybe he left her. We saw a guy looking down from the level above but no, that wasn't him. The boyfriend she was speaking of was at the metro card machine 10 feet away. He looked less than sympathetic for her tears and told her to come on. He was walking with a purpose and she was stomping and pouting behind him. It was the strangest thing we witnessed.
We then were trying to decide where to go eat for dinner. I turned to my local NYC friend, Ash, for some suggestions. He sent us to a place called the Bettie bar - known as a hangout for a lot of theater peeps. It was packed so we ate at the restaurant downstairs the Hourglass Tavern #11 of 45. A little local flavor for the night.
We sat outside and it was a little warm but we made it. Our waiter, bless his heart, was as nice as could be... I'll leave it at that. He was an aspiring actor - as many are in the Big Apple. It was good food and of course, good conversation - even though everyone was so tired. The people watching was priceless on the streets on NYC. I can't even repeat what conversations we heard or what was said directly to us. (My mama may be reading this--- gotta keep it clean)
We FINALLY got our checks and started walking back up the street toward the hotel. I saw this man walking out of a restaurant, smiled and say hello because that is what Texans do. I was ahead of the girls a few steps and then I heard them call me back. They were so excited. They wanted me to take a picture with these people who I had smiled at but had no idea who they were, but they were excited so... ok. Then they told me that it was Stanley and Phyllis from The Office---- sorry Stanley and Phyllis - I never watched.
After that, we couldn't be too irritated with our aspiring actor but not great waiter, Frankie, because had he not cleared every plate and glass one at a time, the girls would have totally missed this photo opportunity.
We ended up getting back to the hotel and I don't think it took any of us long to get to sleep. It had been a long, wonderful day. The next day, we would only have a few more hours to savor the amazing sights of NYC. Day #4 we tackled Central Park and a few things we wanted to see in that area. Keep reading. I will post as soon as I can to wrap up one of the BEST trips I have ever had!