tourist [toor-ist]
a person who is traveling, esp. for pleasure
Synonyms include: excursionist, globetrotter, jetsetter, stranger, traveler

As much of an advocate as I am of continuity and chronology, it would take me forever to blog about NYC in one sitting, so I drafted for days. I'm an advocate for dividing and conquering and this is the fruit of that labor...

DAY 1

The table top at our Chelsea loft was blanketed with maps of Manhattan, brochures for broadway musicals, books about NYC, cameras waiting to be abused and a macbook pro which stood as the backbone of our entire stay. Take heed, when you travel with Cecile Marie Fortun Tecson - you will be prepared.
We began each day with a picture of a happy group of friends who were ready to carpe diem the hell out of our short, but worthwhile vacation. This photo of smiles marked Day 1.

Day 1 began with a hearty meal at a famous fish 'n chips place called A Salt and Battery. Catchy, isn't it? The people behind the counter all had English accents, and rightfully so. After all, who makes better fish 'n chips than the Brits?

A few blocks to walk off our delish meal, we took a moment to hang out at Washington Square Park to be one with New Yorkers. People were reading, walking their dogs, having an ice cream cone, chit-chatting, etc.

Again with the maps. We NEVER left the loft without one.

There is something about cherry blossoms that makes me so happy. I have yet to see the earthly clouds of faint pink that surround Washington, DC in the spring (until April 2008 when Leia and I are DETERMINED to go no matter what, that is. WHO WANTS TO JOIN US?!), but seeing NYC in the spring was just as satisfying.

A short subway ride after, we found ourselves at Ground Zero. Honestly, I don't know if anyone who hasn't been there since before 9/11 can prepare themselves for this. The rubble remains still, along with the shock.

Before the destruction stands a small Episcopalian chapel that survived that awful day. The only damage was the fall of a giant tree which came upon the cemetary ground, protecting the tombstones which lay beneath.

The day got cold very fast, forcing the unprotected (namely, James and Cile) to find refuge in a small souvenir stand which sold sweatshirts, t-shirts and NYC-themed gifts. Our next mission was to visit the Statue of Liberty. But when the wind began to blow, and Cile began to shiver, she pouted, "Who's idea was it to come all the way over here to see..." and then she saw that famous lady in the water. Suddenly...

"THERE SHE IS!! LOOK JAMES!! IT'S HER!!!" - Cile

hahahaha!!!

We braved the rainy ferry ride to the Statue and forgot how cold and tired we were.

Emma Lazarus' famous words engraved on the statue's book do say, "Give me your tired, your poor,/Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free." Tired we were, poor (certainly after all these trips, yes), we huddled on the ferry for warmth and when we arrived...

...we jumped and posed and BREATHED freely...

When we got to our home subway stop, we had one of many "pizza snacks." There's literally a pizza place on every street in NYC.

After a nap party, we headed back out and had a real dinner at the famouse Gray's Papaya. Don't be fooled by imitators when you get there. No "Papaya Dog" will ever do.

After hot dogs and papaya drinks, we got back on the subway to find dessert and ran into an old friend. RANDOM! We were getting out of the subway and Dennis (a friend of the UCLA peeps) was getting on. Talk about serendipity (see 4/26 entry) because... A full day of walking deserved rewards in the form of frozen hot chocolate at the famous Serendipity.

It's a small cafe made even more well-known after the movie of the same name was released. One thing NYC is not short of is famouse landmarks.

After dessert, we headed back towards the subway station when it turned midnight - HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CILE! She turned 29 at the Lexington stop.

Each day ended with a session on the Mac to upload photos, check email and do research for the next day.