Friday 28 September 2012
Shopping
What a week we have had! Home to normality now though, with very tired feet and empty purses, but oh it was so very worth it. We have walked and shopped our way around New York City and we didn't manage in 6 days to get around to ticking off all the shops and sites that we wanted to do. This of course gives me the very best of excuses to return to this fantastic city.
Day one was Sunday, so we dressed in our Sunday best and joined a gospel church tour to take in a little Harlem culture. This was the church that we visited and yep it was a gospel baptist service and we were encouraged to join in, which we did. We managed to control ourselves even though we got the giggles at one point when we remembered Kenny Everett's big foam hands, thankfully it went unnoticed an we did not disgrace ourselves.
We were shown some of the properties in the district, my favourite part as we got to experience some lovely architecture.
Most shopping streets in Harlem had police officers scattered along them and although it is comforting to see, you can't help but think about the problems that must arise in the area to warrant so many. After the tour we were dropped back at time square and we headed straight for the attraction "Time Scare". We had read about this before we left and were expecting to sit down for a meal and be spookilly entertained throughout. Sadly, this was not the case, meals are served on the bar area and there is a walk through spooky area. We didn't fancy this so left but got a very decent meal elsewhere. 
The last time I was in the city I stumbled across a pet shop that had the largest selection of doggy outfits and as mum has Jay the Chihuahua that stays with us, I knew she would have fun selecting a present for her. I swear on the last visit the shop was on Fifth Avenue, but we couldn't find it. But we did find one on Lexington and these are just two of the outfits on offer, neither of which returned home with us. 
We took a rest on Fifth Avenue and visited the Zoo. Made me think of the animated film Madagascar and the song "I like to move it, move it" kept coming to mind. Managed to get this animal free shot from inside the zoo looking out at the city. When we reached 59th heading along Park Central South towards Columbus Circle, tiredness set in and the need for some refreshment. So we took a rickshaw ride through the park to the fountain and strolled through this lovely area, the ceiling under the bridge is gorgeous but we were unable to get pictures here as there was filming in action - not sure what for and there were no famous faces to be seen. We took a slow amble to the boating lake where we had lunch, although we had to wait an hour for a table. A perfect excuse to relax with a glass of wine
The start of another day and it was forecast 'Heavy rain'. So equipped with our brollies we headed off to the Museum of Art on 5th Avenue which took all morning to get round. Afternoon was spent shopping in Macy's and surrounding shops.
We passed the stunning Fifth Avenue Synagogue and my arty farty urge within couldn't resist snapping a picture of it's window!
Another day and yet more shopping - one can never get enough - although my feet would argue with that. But first we headed to Grand Central Station - if you go to the clock at 12:30 on a Wednesday there is a free tour of the station by a local New Yorker. Our tour guide was a very amusing and knoweledgable chap - we thoroughly enjoyed this, but it did mean that our shopping time was reduced.
We found the steps on the subways, in some cases very steep and would often step aside when we got to the top of them just to get our breath back.
Today was Bloomingdale's, Lexington Avenue and Madison avenue and at the end of the day we found time to nip over to Broadway for (you've guessed it) more shopping.
The next day we found ourselves up early again, so we headed down town to the financial district to take in the 9/11 memorial. Although a sad memory for all involved and all that remember the shock of the event we were so pleasantly surprised with how beautifully laid out the site is.
After lunch we got some more shopping in, mainly visiting places we had already been to purchase the items that we originally ummed and arhhed about.
Our final day we managed to get every thing packed, (JUST!) grabbed a few more last minute purchases visited the Library (st here for a few minutes just to soak up the atmoshpere) and headed to the airport with our fingers crossed that we wouldn't incur excess baggage charges. We didn't!
There are so many shops on the list that we didn't get around to, the Tenement Museum was missed off too(although I had seen this last time I was there) and the one thing I would have loved to have seen, was Barbara Streisand, she was in town and performing on the Tuesday evening - not that I could ever afford tickets.
There is so much to do in the city that never sleeps and M has already promised to take me back, not that he'll shop with me - he'll fish instead - that way we'll both be happy.
Some additional pictures taken on our trip.
