Shopping in New York

Woke up to the alarm this morning for the first time (7am).  We wanted to get into town early and have a good day in New York.  We decided to visit the 9/11 World Trade Centre Memorial site first up.  Got the bus and subway in and transferred to the right train....however, the train seemed to take a little detour so we got off and decided to walk the rest of the way.  
What a terrible decision!!!  When we emerged from the subway we were confronted with every dress/shoe/jewellery/tourist shop in New York.  My heart sank and Pam got a spring in her step.  I could list the shops we went into today but, I've contacted Mr Google and he told me there is not enough memory in the system to hold the information, and we have to leave for Canada in the morning and I'm going to have to sleep sometime.  Suffice to say it was a disaster!!!  Pam bought shoes and stuff.
We finally got to the 9/11 Memorial site and thought we'd take a short-cut around the 25 minute queue, we walked for about 30 minutes then joined another queue for 25 minutes to enter the site.  We have certainly walked the streets of New York today!
The site itself is very interesting, there are two giant holes in the ground with fountains, these are the footprints of the 2 main towers, 5 other buildings were also destroyed in the attack.
From there it was the subway to Central Park, walked through, over and around it for about 2 hours and finally found a cafe and had a turkey sandwich in the park, followed by a chocolate muffin.  
Went back to Times Square after that to do some more shopping.  Found some dodgy cupcake shop...Magnolia Cupcakes or something, Pam said Emily and Amanda would understand...good on them I say!  Also went through the NBC shop and finally found a bar for some beer and tea.  I had the fish burger, Pam had the pork burger.  We chose a sports bar and there were 12 TVs' on the walls, most showing different sports/games.  Almost did our heads in trying to watch them all.   Got the trusty subway/bus home and started packing for our flight to Toronto tomorrow.

9/11 Memorial fountain

Explanation of the Flag of Honor

All the names are etched into the surrounds of the memorial.  On their birthdays, the staff place a rose/flower on their name.

More of the fountain.

Leaning against the name boards.

The new World Trade Centre, overlooking the memorial.

Into Central Park, we could have got a bike or carriage, Pam chose to walk.

Central park wildlife getting ready for winter snow.

Playing baseball in the park with Manhattan skyline in the background.

Turkey sandwich with the lot.

Looking across to the cafe where we had lunch.

Posing in front of one of the lakes in the park.

Boats for hire in the lake.

Had lunch...happy now!

Wedding in the park...how many bridesmaids does one really need?

Boating in the park....we chose to walk.

The fountain in the centre of Central Park.

Beautiful spot for a casual stroll.

Scene from the park.

More beauty in the park.

The John Lennon Memorial in Strawberry Fields, Central Park. Imagine there's no war, or no religion too.......

Finding a way out......or not finding a way to go.  Lucky I have Pam to tell me where to go.

Versatile Police transport.

Some dodgy cupcake shop...who would think cupcakes would cost so much and there would be a line around the block to buy them???

Inside said cupcake shop.

One last look at Time Square, the area is full of lights.

Tennis and baseball

Early day today, got up and walked down the street to the laundromat.  We have been amazed at the friendliness of all the New Yorkers we have come across.  We are staying in an area where the first language is Spanish, I have definitely been unfairly  racially profiling most of the people in the neighbourhood but have been pleasantly surprised at how approachable they have been.  All the Hispanics, Ho's and Honkies have all greeted this white boy with a welcome, 'Hey man, lookin' good man'.  You get the drift.....  Tonight, coming home from Yankee Stadium we had to get 2 trains (one from the stadium to the city, then from the city to Queens)  We then have to get a bus for the last couple of miles home.  We got on the bus at 11.30pm and everyone on the bus was Hispanic, we are the only white people within 5 miles.  The bus driver looked at us, looked at his passengers and said, "You know where you going, you on the right bus?"  We told him why and where, he looked us up and down, shrugged and said, "OK, on you get."  Everyone looked as we made our way on, but they all smiled and I don't think it was the type of smile of a lion sizing up prey....it really was a friendly gesture!!

Another day session at the tennis today, watched Li Na, Djokovic and Sloane Stevens play, this all finished early enough for us to get back to the motel for a shower before we went to the baseball. 

In the quest for trying anything, we had a giant pretzel at the tennis.  Pam said it tasted like Playdough.  I haven't tasted Playdough lately but it was like a long round piece of squashed bread that had been soaked in salt, we didn't finish it.  Wow...that pretzel was making me thirsty!!!

We have had some very hot days, the sunscreen has been getting a workout, particularly today, feeling a little sunburnt tonight.

School bus from the 'Logan Bus Co.'  A little lost I imagine?

Pam with her hero on the Hall of Fame Walk.

More of the Hall of Fame Walk.

Arthur Ashe Memorial Garden.

Some of the outside courts.

Can you see Pam in her seat?

How about now? Proud in her State of Origin cap.

Birds eye view of Louis Armstrong Arena.

The food area, lots to tempt us.

One last look at Arthur Ashe Stadium, very sad to say goodbye.

Baseball
Went to Yankee Stadium tonight for a baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Yankees.  I've been watching and hearing about the stars of the Yankees for years now, and to be able to watch the likes of Derek Jeter, Alex (A-Rod) Rodriguez, Robinson Cano, Curtis Granderson and Mo Rivera and others was a dream come true.
The teams are close on the ladder and neither seem to have much hope of making the play-offs but there is a history of neighbourly rivalry going back many years so the Yankees and their fans were keen for a win.  It was a packed house, very noisy with the fans showing their support.  Had some beer and a hotdog, yummo, felt like a local!
Started slow, it was 0-0 after 3 inning.  Baltimore hit the lead with a home run, Yankees bounced back with a 40 minute 5 run 5th inning.  Coming into the 8th inning Yankees held a 3 run advantage, Baltimore had 2 on with 2 out and needed a home run to tie.  Their batter hit the biggest hit and it went sailing closer and closer to the home run wall....just falling short, caught and 3 out.
It came down to the top of the 9th, Baltimore still need 3 runs, the fans wanted it shut down,Yankees coach brought in the veteran pitcher - Mo Rivera and the crowd went wild.  In reply Baltimore sent out 2 pinch hitters and Rivera knock them over quickly.  They resorted to their lead off hitter and Rivera got the out and won the game.  The fans went wild.  I was exhausted.  Pam was enjoying it all.
Got home at midnight after another big day and ready for bed!!!

View from our seats.

View into right field.

Some of the legends - shots from the big screen.

Full day at the tennis

Almost a sleep in today, looking forward to both sessions of the tennis.  Walked over at about 10 and managed to watch all or some of the winning and losing of Serena Williams, Roger Federer, Bernard Tomic, Caroline Wozniaki and Rafael Nadal.  In between we shopped, ate, drank and explored the whole area.  Really enjoyed a day of looking through each pavilion and display, sampled some of the international food on offer and got home early at about 11pm.  Looking forward to another day tomorrow with Djokovic and others before heading to Yankee Stadium for the baseball.

An electricians nightmare - it's like this on every street, I don't know why it's so complicated?

A hotel on our walk to the tennis - some bizarre 70s' creation.

Watching an early women's doubles game.

All shopped up and ready for a rest in Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The fore-court at Arthur Ashe.

Citi-Field - home of New York Mets baseball team.  The share a subway line with lots of similarities to the Melbourne tennis and MCG arrangements.

Posing on the top of the stadium.

More posing.

Panorama of the stadium.

The south entrance with the world at our feet.

Getting in early for the night session.

Our first 'selfie'.

Stadium filling up for the Nadal game.

Williams, Williams, Federer, Tomic, Wozniaki, Nadal.