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# Wednesday, 03 December 2008
THIS IS NEW YORK CITY!!

OK – time for more about our “New York Experience”–just not sure where to begin - In the words of Jemma and Ben –“WOW! “

 The sights, the power and the energy that is endlessly being generated throughout this city- were like nothing we have experienced before! “The city that never sleeps.” .....has never been so true....and the speed and dynamics of this city –we can only compare to a whirlwind! Every-one seems to be going about their business at a high pace –but unlike us, they seem to know where they are going!

Time Square was an amazing experience - a host of bright lights, music, illuminated TV screens and home to countless shops, stores, Broadway Theatres, the Arts and more........the illuminated screens and signs are aptly known as ‘Spectaculars’ with the largest of these sporting the title of ‘Jumbotrons’. Time Square is home to the World’s Largest Toy-store - which advertises itself as being at the “Heart of Times Square and the Crossroads of the world”. The store has a life sized animatronics T.Rex to greet you at the entrance and houses a 60 foot tall indoor operational Ferris wheel and also a two story life- sized Barbie House!

 We saw the Naked Cowboy – now famous for his presence in Times Square –who has been entertaining the crowds for approximately 10 years. He has nothing more than a cowboy hat, briefs and a guitar to strum and sing along to! A sight to be seen indeed - and apparently he can be seen out in all weather’s – summer and winter alike!

We caught a glimpse of Wall Street and the New York Stock Exchange and got as close as you are able to get to it –as it now has permanent road blockades for extra security.

The Rockefeller Centre is named after the multi-millionaire – John. D. Rockefeller and includes 19 commercial building spanning some 19 acres. The enormous Christmas tree was just being decorated when we were there and was above a magical ice skating rink that Jemma found just too tempting! It reminded us all of a winter wonderland.

The Trumps Tower was exquisite and enormous too and lays claim to being the tallest residential building. Many famous names own luxury apartments here.

We took the trek up to the top of the very famous Empire State Building – and spent a while feeling on top of the world! What a feeling to be looking down over everything else! We were able to have a quick lesson on distances and perspective –as Ben had previously disbelieved us about this being taller than some of the other sky scrapers that we saw that were closer to us at the time!. When we were at the top (well as high as we were allowed at floor 86!) and out in the open –air Observatory, we could all see that this was the highest building! Today it remains one of the tallest buildings in the world with the very top of its art deco rising to 448.7 metres into the air! The 86th floor was 320 metres high which was plenty high enough –thank-you! And Ben (again!) was even trying to climb higher still when he was on the outside deck – we are not quite sure why?!

We visited the United Nations Centre where they have a model of an enormous 6 Shooter Pistol with a knot tied in the end -as a symbol of peace. There are 192 countries who are members of the United Nations and their flags are all displayed in alphabetical order around the outside of the buildings.

We just had to take a stroll down Fifth Avenue and we took  a look inside a famous sweetie shop while we were there! This street is said to be the most expensive street to shop in – in the world!!

Our ferry crossing out to Liberty Island was an adventure. We saw Ellis Island where some 12 million people came into the USA during the years between 1892 and 1954. The first views of the Statue of Liberty (for real!) in the distance- were overwhelming! The sheer size of the statue up close showed us how much power and significance she has, as the torch is held so high. The Statue is made from copper and has turned the green colour that we see today through the process of oxidisation.

We were very fortunate to meet John, the managing director of Topaz Tours (for sightseeing tours of New York City) -as his wealth of knowledge and experience within New York City seemed second to none! He was very entertaining as he shared many facts and figures and we would highly recommend enhancing your trip by joining in on one of the various tours that his company has to offer!

Although the speed of this city made us all dizzy as it was a world away from what is familiar to us- there was definitely a  magical appeal and you couldn’t help but look some more and soak in every moment of the time.  Each time we passed through the city, driving right through Manhattan, China Town and around the outskirts –the views seemed magnetic and time stood still as we were lost in the immensity of the Manhattan Skyline..............What an AWESOME experience!!

FACT-IODS!

*The Christmas tree at the Rockefeller Centre is now decorated with approximately 300,000 lights!

* New York City has an overall population of approximately 9.7 million people.

* The Brooklyn Borough of New York has a population of approximately 4 million people.

* The Queens Borough of New York has a population of approximately 2.5 million people.

* The Staten Island Borough of New York has a population of approximately 0.5 million people.

* The Manhattan Borough of New York has a population of approximately 1.6 million people.

* The Bronx Borough of New York has a population of approximately 1.1 million people.

* The oldest building in New York City was built in 1790.

*For 8 out of the last 9 years – New York has been named as the safest BIG CITY (with a population of over 1 Million!).

* During the time between 1892 and 1954 – some 12 million immigrants came into the USA through Ellis Island.  Today the Island is a memorial to all who have made the nation their adopted home.

* New York City is home to the Largest Shopping Store in the world! – Macy’s has 9 floors of shopping heaven!

* New York has a larger Jewish population than Israel (We are led to believe).

*New York has more Irish residents than Dublin does (We are led to believe)

* The Empire State Building was completed in an amazing one year and 45 days!

* The Empire State Building has 102 floors (with public access up to floor 86!)

* The Empire State Building is arguably the most famous structure built by modern man and has dominated the New York City Skyline since 1931.

* The silhouette of the Empire State lit up by night can be seen from a distance of 80 miles all around it and during special celebrations it can be seen beaming coloured combinations of lights from the top 30 floors (with different colours depending on the occasion).

* The Statue of Liberty was a gift to the USA from France. It was assembled on Bedloe’s Island (one of the Island’s previous names) in 1886 and was declared a National Monument in 1924. The Island’s name changed again in 1956 from Bedloe’s to Liberty Island as we know today.

* We saw Ground Zero and all of the tributes to the fallen.  Works have begun at the site for a new tower - called The Freedom Tower. This will stand some 426 feet taller than the Empire State building does today and it is thought will become the tallest building in the world (at a significant total for  US independence being  1776 feet high).

*The USA declared its freedom and independence from England on July 4th 1776.

* There are approximately 13,000 yellow cabs in New York City!!

*Thats all for now folks - as this list could easily go on forever!! Once again thankyou for your time. Pics to follow soon!


Wednesday, 03 December 2008 04:09:05 (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #    Comments [1]  USA