My Fantastic New York City Trip.

At first it didn't seem like the exciting trip that it turned out to be.I was newly grieving and I didn't want to do anything but stay home and weep. But saner minds prevailed and I found myself on a plane to New Your City. Me,who hates to fly,especially landing and taking off,found myself on a multi destination plane ride! But finally we landed at LaGuardia Airport safe and sound. Driving into the city was amazing! I come from a decent size city,but have never seen so many people in one place!

Later we found this beautiful little hole -in -the -wall-like cafe`.We had walked a long time,miles and miles it seemed and we were exhausted.We walked past Radio City,The Brooklyn Bridge,Times Square,up one street and down another avenue until our feet were sore. It seemed like such a small place,chairs and tables outside but too cool to sit out. So we went in through the narrow door into the most wonderful aroma of pasta and sauce . The waiters and cooks were very friendly but spoke very little English. We were lucky to have my son-in-law who could speak and understand some Italian. We lingered over some beautiful Chianti wine while the staff in the kitchen ,which was not really a kitchen but a part of the little dining room, cooked our meal.We were sitting a few feet from the cooking area and were enveloped by the magic aroma. Our dinner ,when it came,was to die for!

One bright morning we walked up to the bike rental,got ourselves each a bicycle and headed for Central Park! Little did I know how sore my calves would be by the time I fell into bed at the end of that day!

Picking a good bicycle was not hard for my family but for me it was a complicated task . First of all I am short and I like to have my feet on the ground when the bike stops. Besides that,the only bike that was that small,was heavy and awkward. Of course I hadn't ridden for a few years. But I felt adventuresome and determined. In hindsight,it seems like a wild and crazy thing for an old woman to do.

Central Park was awesome and beautiful to be sure.But it had all these hills which I seemed to have to walk my bike up and coast it down,with people ringing their bells or yelling at me that they were coming up on my left. They were probably wimpy about my wobbling out in front of them.This went on for the entire length of the park. It was pretty scary for me too,the way they seemed to be on a race track. My daughter and her ever-patient husband would be leaning on their bikes at regular intervals,waiting for me to clear the crest of a hill,or the scary edge of a curve.But they kept insisting that,no,I shouldn't take the next short cut out and leave them to enjoy.

So we continued loping through the park,stopping to gaze out over the beautiful lake; taking pictures of mighty sun-speckled rocks; posing in the deep dark tunnels and watching horses carry groups of lazy people just sitting back relaxing in the carriages.

As we stood on the sidewalk one day,there occurred such an amazing sight! Hundreds of motorcycles roared up the street,taking over the whole area. It happened so suddenly that it was shocking in its noise and dazzle of colors.The riders were costumed elaborately,one in a Spider-man costume and standing on his motorcycle in the classic Spider-man pose.We all stood transfixed on the spot,our cameras flashing. There were huge pricey cars that decided it was best to stop on the spot and wait it out. It shocked me how they could just take over the street so easily and completely!

It's three o'clock in the morning.We are standing in Times Square. The air crackles with life. You could easily lose your balance just standing there! Everything around you is moving and flashing!The buildings seem to be made of neon lights, not brick and mortar. Dr.Oz suddenly leaps out from above us. An incredibly young and beautiful girl drips glamour from her perch on the side of a building. From another building a zig zag point of a lightning rod flashes and threatens close to us with its pointed face. New Girl and Disney characters big and small vie for room to dance on the sheer walls .Below,the streets groan under the weight of thousands of feet. The whole scene is worth losing sleep over.

We went to the Brooklyn Bridge in a parade of people and dogs of every description and size.There was a dog show going on and it was great to see it all.

We went to the docks where the ferries were criss-crossing to Staten Island and Liberty Island.We stood and watched the action of the workers and passengers and gazed with awe at the turbulent Hudson River.

We saw the action at the Occupy Wall Street,which my grandson loved(he is in business school)and visited the 911 site briefly. We found it a little crass gazing upon such a site for entertainment,so left quickly.

My daughter and I pretended to dance on the sidewalk in front of Radio City.Thanking our lucky stars we were in a strange place where no one knew us,but it was all fun.

Next day we took the public transit to the west part of the city to visit the restaurant where Seinfeld did his sitcom.We ate and had coffee in the little restaurant there and bought some great fresh vegetables from outside vendors. I was surprised at the difference in the streets and the entire local. It was so much more quiet and normal there. Ordinary people were going about their shopping and their life without all the glamour and clamor of the downtown area.

I have to say,the people in the downtown area gave no heed to traffic lights or crosswalks but just moved forward in waves to wherever they were heading.They seemed to pay no heed even when a police car had the light.Once one had to start his siren to get by. No attempt was made to ticket them or even reprimand them.Pedestrians seemed to rule the streets! It was all quite fascinating!