I have given up on walking them to a destination or even taking the subway. Taking cabs proves to be just as cheap and gets you from point A to point B without too much whining, and makes the day start sooner.... even if it only does start at 11am.
Interestingly we flew up 1st Avenue to Upper West side and found out the UN is starting this week. A heap of flashing blue and red but the traffic was moving!
We go direct to the American Museum of Natural History and because of renovations, it's looking a bit sad from the outside. Flying into the new space wing of the AMNH, we're conquering galaxies and staring down brown dwarfs and on a quest to find a real meteorite. Thankfully it's at the complete opposite end of the building on another floor which means I get to actually visit the museum instead of a "done it, let's go home"
The main floor is also under renos and it's looking a little dated. The dioramas of bison, cougars, sabre toothed tigers and the like are quite impressive but dated. We do make it to the room of the Blue Whale and more dioramas with walruses, seals, porpoises etc are great. There is the famous diorama of the squid and the whale except it's in the far corner and the lighting isn't on. I don't know if it's done on purpose, but it creeped me out and it's nightmare inducing!
We make it to the Hall of Meteorites through the room of Human evolution. Again, thankful that the meteorites are at the far end as it seduces the kids to actually look at the human evolution exhibit. I'm fascinated by the Neanderthals and wonder why they died out... or did they interbreed with Homo Sapiens? Maybe the former are working on a construction site near you. They had bigger craniums but not bigger brains apparently... although you'd need a live one to figure that one out.
The floor of dinosaurs is on the top floor and they're quite good. I have to say I am both fascinated and bored by them. Seen one seen them all. You can give them a new different name and put up pictures of them, but in the end the tilt of the pelvis and stance of the front legs, they're still just bones...
There's a great view from the 4th floor albeit from the inside.
We wander across Central park to the Turtle pond and Belvedere castle. A moment of contemplation and absorption into why one little turtle is harrassing the big ones by flapping its front flippers in the other's face. A large turtle with deformed neck grabs our attention and we wonder if its got cancer.
Boycott at the Boathouse restaurant by workers illegally fired by the management. (Manage to slip in some social political teaching here - see they are getting an education!)
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| Belvedere Castle and The Dakota in the skyline |
Next highlight - FAO Schwarz with the soldier at the door, the big piano that a large galoot of an employee is jumping up and down on. Great Lego section and lots of stuff for younger kids including spookily real baby dolls.
Finally we hit the Rockerfeller Centre for the Lego Shop and the Nintendo World store. The latter is good for just zoning out and flailing around amongst a bunch of strangers.
We ended up our New York trip with a traditional American dinner - burgers, fries and milkshakes - at Bill's Burgers. They were very good and I'd recommend them as they have a "kids" menu too. Opposite Bill's on 41st street - the National Republican Women's Club. A handful of suits and women in conservative dress soon joined by a police car, two dark limos, flashing lights and badly dressed cops in suits. The cops, limos and suits stay outside with the 24 hour plumbing and sewer backup service... I know there's a joke there.
We hit Times Square at night and get a bit silly before heading home... on foot. Just can't get a taxi at night in this damn town!
A Huge Thanks to our cousin Karen who put us up and put up with us! It was also fab to get to know her even better and for the kids to bond with more of their family. Thanks Karen!!!!!!! We love you!!!!!
