Monday, November 11th

So off to the big city today.  We took the train in and got off at Grand Central Station right in the middle of all the hub-bub!  We walked out into the noise, traffic, horns honking, Salvation Army ringing the bell and Christmas music blaring!  Welcome to New York City!!!!  Now, we had to try to figure out how to get to our hotel.  Thought we were going to take a taxi, but after standing in a long line, and we were watching all cars, including taxis, hardly moving.......we thought we could just walk.  Oh it doesn't look that far on a map.  So we took off.....went a couple blocks, decided we were going the wrong way and we were!  Turn around!!  So then we got to the street we were going to walk a long ways on and it had a Veteran's Day Parade going on.  Turn around again.  Yes we watched the parade for a little while.  Pretty cool right in the middle of NYC. 

 So, anyway, finally got to our hotel after a long walk with our suitcases in tow.  Great room, way bigger than we thought for here.  Hustle and bustle all around.  Went down the street for some early dinner at a place called Eataly.  Worlds largest Italian market.  It had food to buy and eat in or out, restaurants, groceries-all Italian.  Very Interesting place!  Ok, then we tried the subway with no success.  So off we went on foot again, but that was ok because it's the best way to experience the city. We went to the top of the Rockefeller Center.....70 floors.  Amazing view from up there especially at night.  We could see the Empire State Building perfectly and it was lite up red, white and blue.  We also went into the NBC studios where they film they TODAY show.  I got my picture taken with Matt Lauer!  Saw the ice skating rink outside the studio.  More walking on down to Times Square.  Wow, what a place that is and it's not even New Years Eve!  Walked on back to the hotel and we all collapsed into bed.  Wore ourselves out in the first 6 hours of being here!  Sleep fast, much to do tomorrow.   **Sara