Well it is Friday evening about 6pm and we are waiting to see Forbidden Broadway so thought would kill some time by checking email etc.
We arrived safely on Tuesday evening, getting to our apartment about 8.30pm. Both our flights were early. Our trip from Sydney to LA was OK – it wasn't full so we had room to spread out a little. We were early into the airport so had to spend half an hour on the tarmac waiting for the airport to open. Then a couple of hours and onto New York arriving around 6.30pm. We then caught the shuttle bus which seemed to stop at every possible terminal and point in New York before delivering us to our apartment on the Upper East Side. Michael (the owner) met us there and explained it all to us. It is cosy but comfortable and certainly adds to our stay in New York. After settling in, we realised I had left the backpack in the shuttle van so a few phone calls meant that was logged as lost and they started tracking it for us. Dinner was at a local pizza and pasta place!!!
On Wednesday (known now as the freezing day) we worked out the subway (very well layed out) and went to Times Square, 42nd Street, Hard Rock Cafe, Macys (like Myer) as well as any other shop we could to keep warm. There are Starbucks on almost every corner but am realising that it is not the coffee but the warmth that the Americans go there for. We tend to go from one to the other (followed by trying to find public toilets) en route to our various locations. The city is a buzz with Christmas and the lights and shop windows are spectacular. We went to Queens to pick up the now found backpack – that was an experience but pleased to get the bag back as it had Andrew's camera and Christophers sunglasses in it. Dinner tonight was in a local diner – real American and tried Jewish soup which was tasteless (the waiter had warned me!!!)
The highlight of Thursday would have to be seeing our first Broadway show – Chitty Chitty Bang Bang! The car was amazing and the technical effects and sets blew me away. When the car flew over our fifth row seats, I tingled all over. We were seated next to the mother of the boy in the show who we spoke to afterwards. I do hope it comes to Australia but thinking of the sets and technical aspects, I'm not sure if any theatre would be able to accomodate it!
Today we went to SAKS (like David Jones) and then onto the Empire State Building (86 floors up) and the views over New York were great. We have bought a New York pass which allows us entry to about 8 New York attractions so that was our first one! The day was sunny and clear so we got great views and some great pictures.
Tomorrow we plan on going to the markets down near the financial centre (Ground Zero) to pick up some bargains and check out the cupcake shop, Magnolia Bakery!!
We are having a great time and getting to know our way around!! Hope all is well with everyone!! Will write again when we can.