Haser Happenings: New York

Really this starts with the end of Day 2, but days and nights just mesh together, so it's all the same really....

We changed hotels Wednesday night, the first Hotel was rather scary. I believe Todd referred to it as a 'ghetto' hotel or something (strange, because it wasn't a ghetto price)...

New Hotel, virtually the same price - but - AWESOME! (:

Don't mind the mess we were getting ready in the am. Look actual sofa and chairs, and you can't see it but it has a built in desk and a table. Besides an amazing view.

The best part - the bed isn't a futon!Well and the bathroom is nice!

Anyone that knows me well, will know that I can't STAND to be by myself for extended periods of time. Maybe it is all those years as an only child, where I would come home and no one would be there for hours. I don't know, but I really don't like it. My kids know I LOVE to have at least one if not all of them with me (and I do miss them right now). Well, it is even worse being in the big city of big cities, well and that I have NO clue where anything is. .... I tell you this, just so you can have a full and complete appreciation of how adventurous I was today.

This morning, instead of heading over to NYU with Todd, where I would basically be able to hang out in the 'waiting' area or walk around campus (still fun) - I stayed at the hotel near down town. The other hotel scared me, no way was I staying there. This allowed me to, at my leisure, go explore the downtown area. So, I got up got showered (should have blown dry my hair, but who has hours to do that- boring?! I just tied it up) and went out in to the 35 degree weather. I had no real plan, just to see where I felt inspired to walk and see the city.

Surprisingly, I had a lot of fun!

Here is a small snippet what I saw on my walk.

I found the ocean (so exciting) and the Brooklyn Bridge.

This is a picture from a mall at Sea Port village on the third floor. Look I found a birdy friend. I miss my birds. The bridge was very cool. The mall was strange. Although, there was an outdoor ice rink. Oh, I would LOVE to go ice skating!

I kept walking and walking following the trails of old amazing buildings peeking out from between newer buildings of varying ages and heights. I took MANY pictures, but what I found remarkable and wanted to share was this...

Peering at me as I rounded the corner was this fascinating old church.

This is St. Paul's Chapel at Ground Zero. It was built in 1766 and has a fascinating story. Follow the link to learn more.

Come on In, I will show you around a little.

It is beautiful, serene and smells of burning candles.

Inside you find tributes to those who lost their lives on September 11th.

The view from the back of St. Paul's -

Ground zero.

After that, I was left thinking how amazing it is that the constant flow of life that is embodied in this city - still continues. It is also amazing at how close all these buildings are that more weren't damaged. I am grateful for those that were preserved, especially St. Paul's. They stand to remind us and give us hope that life will go on. It won't be the same, but we are strong and will move forward.

Then, I wandered around checked out the federal building, city hall, grabbed some lunch and went back to the hotel to warm up!

Todd got back around 6pm and took me down to "Little Italy" to a delicious restaurant, recommended by Louis from NYU (thank you Louis) Da Nico's. I highly recommend it. It was delish! Service was excellent too!

T-n-T at Da Nico's

... and because Italian food isn't filling enough... We had to get yummy treats from a little Italian bakery down the way, that Louis recommended as well. mmm, mmm. Now I don't need to eat for a couple of days.