Day Two

We set out early for NYC from Fairfield. We took a route in which I would mirror for the remainder of the trip, traveling the Merritt Parkway to the Cross County, then the 9A down the West side of Manhattan. It worked well with minimal hold-ups and almost void of trucking. The weather was fine with sunny breaks and a light breeze... a forerunner for what was to be an excellent week of weather.

• Day Two
  • Battery Park / Statue of Liberty - First stop on Day Two. Lovely park area and an anomaly for this part of the island. Public washrooms, seating areas, trails and a neat concept for a public performance area. We also took the time to view the Statue of Liberty from this point. We didn't take the ride over, which would have afforded us a broad view of Manhattan Island from the water, but the immensity of the statue and it's location overlooking the harbor was evident. Perhaps, on another excursion, I'd take the boat tour and tour Ellis Island as well. However, this trip we stuck to Manhattan.
  • Ground Zero - Almost missed the site... which seemed surprisingly small to me for one that hosted buildings of such immensity. It is very enclosed with fencing and all makes of ramp and equipment inside. I'd visited the web-site several times peeking at the web cam which overlooks the area. Little needs to be said in regards to a generation's familiarity with the 9/11 era. A resting place for so many, and the end of an innocence for a people unaccustomed. The experience was an eerie balance of humility and reverence.
  • Chinatown - I believe that our hosts were going for first day shock factor when we piled out of the vehicle and wandered down Canal St. For the kid from rural Nova Scotia this was just plain spectacular. All manners of color, noise, smell and touch... simply sensory. A bombardment of Asian culture, as it has merged with America, was the fodder of the day. Amid the marketplace abounding with produce, I Love New York paraphernalia, trinkets galore and purse vendors rests the life work of the largest Chinatown in the United States. Our kids were eyes wide open as the bustle and pace of the borough made the afternoon
  • New York Subway - I note this for many reasons. Firstly, it was my first time riding a subway, anywhere. Realizing that we were in the most secure areas of the city, our family moved safely and quickly without pressure or intimidation. Naivity aside, it is a simply amazing feat of engineering. These veins seemed essential in the delivery of people around the city. The artistic appreciation I've come to garner as an adult was also drawn to the underground performers that played, sang and danced during our short ride from Chinatown to Time Square. Perhaps this is the modern day "underground culture". Lastly, the subway is indeed an incredibly efficient and economical way to get around the island.
  • Times Square - Now... I've seen many pictures / films which try and capture this part of the city, but there is nothing like standing mid-town and looking in all directions. The signs and flashing lights, crowded streets of pedestrian and vehicle traffic, vendors and NYPD Blue, Broadway and Seventh, it is worth a look for any visitor. There is undoubtedly something for everyone (except physical isolation) in this tiny piece of earth.

Evening Planning: After one hell of a large day, we planned several activities for the following day knowing our host Jennifer was coming with us to the city. We decided on the Central Park area, wanting to experience the park as well as enjoy a beautiful, spring day in New York.