Monday, July 16, 2012

New York? New York... New York!!!

Empire State Building


A few weeks ago, when we were unsupervised and had splashing fun in the pool, Lisa came up with an idea to drive to New York to pick up her mother from the JFK. Road trip to New York sounded as an exiting experience, and with no hesitation and sealed  by our husbands' approval we set the departure date: July 9th. 


On the road...
Smokey Mountains, TN
Virginia
Here and there along the road...
...the view was breathtaking.

Early Monday morning we headed East on I-40, driving through Arkansas, Tennessee, where we made an overnight stop in the beautiful Smokey Mountains, next day I-81 took us through magnificent Virginia, a little  bit of West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and... Hello, New York!


Approaching NY
Twelve years ago I lived in NY for some time before I headed to the Pacific Northwest, and I haven't been to NY since. Well, except a few connection flights from Europe, which I couldn't avoid... So going back I was wandering what feelings will I have once there again? Will I enjoy it? Or will emotions from the past hunt me? But the moment the city line showed on the horizon, my heart was filled with joy. 


Crossing the Hudson river
Tuesday evening we arrived to the hotel Pennsylvania (conveniently located across the Penn Station and Madison Square Garden in Midtown), where we waited  in line to be checked in for about one hour. After we dropped our bags in the room, we headed to a nearby bar for a quick dinner and a glass of beer.  Before returning to the hotel, we walked several blocks on 7th Avenue, immersing ourselves into the big city's lights and life. Needless to say that upon our return to the hotel, we dropped asleep the moment we reached our pillows. 




A few words about the Hotel Pennsylvania. It doesn't have a great reviews for a reason: it is old and needs some repair to be done, especially in the bathroom. My friend Lisa, who booked this hotel, wanted to change it the very next day. But when we found out how conveniently it is located, and giving the fact that it was clean, she changed her mind and we stayed in it. In the end, we didn't come to NY to stay in the hotel, and as long as the room is clean, that's all that matters. Internet in the hotel is available only in the business center in the lobby, which was pretty crowded, so we decided not to bother. Charges for Internet use are hourly or by day.


Time Square, NY

While in NY, we did some tourist stuff, like climbing six flights of stairs of Empire State Building and window shopping on Fifth Avenue. 


Famous Macy's 
We also went off the tourist's path and visited some interesting places, so come back to find out. :)


See you,
Marina

26 comments:

  1. I've never been to new York City. I'm interested in the sights you saw!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Della, please, do come back to see where we went. :)

      Delete
  2. Fun! I've never been to NYC, so I will live vicariously through you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are razing the bar, Jane... I hope you won't be disappointed. :)

      Delete
  3. Thanks for sharing the photos. I love looking at travel photos.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Kim, I was wandering if the road trip photo's could be interesting to anyone. I am glad you enjoyed it. :)

      Delete
  4. Did you read my post about the High Lines? Hope you have time to go there, you will love it. It is within walking distance from your hotel.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Norma, yes I did read that post. Unfortunately, we didn't stop there this time. We did visit some other great places though... :)

      Delete
  5. I love to drive....and travel! You went through a really beautiful part of the country. I would be intimidated about arriving in NYC though! But I will enjoy your photos! What an adventure!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Dianne, I agree, the drive was magnificent all the way from Nashville, TN to NYC. I thought nothing can beat the beauty of West coast, but I guess I was wrong: each part of the country has something to please your eyes. :)

      Delete
  6. Seem like you really had fun driving to New York!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was a lot of fun, and having two drivers makes it much easier and less stressful. :)

      Delete
  7. Ahhh it's been too many years since we visited New York alas!! I can't wait to see where you end up :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Lorraine! My idea was to post every day when we were in NY, but when I saw those lines in the business center I realized that's impossible. I had to choose between enjoying my time in NY and staying in line to make a post. Oh well, traveling and blogging doesn't happen in the same time sometimes. My hat's off to you who manages to post when traveling. Care to share your secret?! :)

      Delete
  8. i miss New York. Wonderful place to live in

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, I miss Seattle to a twitching feeling in my chest. I didn't like NY when I lived there, but 12 years later I had a very good time in the city. :)

      Delete
  9. Ciao Marina,
    Thank you for visiting my blog.
    I'm very excited to find out more about your NY adventure.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ciao :) I am glad you came to visit my blog. Please, do come back to my kitchen table for more food and stories. :)

      Delete
  10. Marina, I agree with Kim Bee, I also love to see travel photos! What a fun driving trip you and your friend had, driving to NYC...haven't been there in a few years. Just LOVE New York! Who wouldn't?
    Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos, and the fun post:D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Elisabeth, I haven't been to NY in 12 years, and I didn't like NY when I lived there. Now it's different, I wouldn't want to live there though, but visiting from time to time for fun is fine. Come back for a "sweet" post. :)

      Delete
  11. Visiting the big apple is one of my dreams, so I would like to be in your place, because the trip must have been really, really great :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How interesting are people: when I lived in NY 12 years ago I didn't like it, and didn't want to go there again. This trip proved that things change and our perception changes as well. Although, I wouldn't want to live in NY again...:)

      Delete
  12. Ah, ok, after your last post, it makes sense now - New York - naturally. I think driving in Paris is annoying enough... I can't imagine what it must be like in New York! Beautiful photos... I loved the first one... really great angle!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Charles, thanks for your compliment on the photo. It means a lot to me. I need to tell you that taking photos on the road and in the city, where everything is moving is a bit of the challenge. I thought taking photos of the food, that is getting cold and looses it's appearnce is difficult enough, but the road and the city is a whole another type of photography yet to be learned. :) I decided not to spoil my time by getting frustrated over the fact that I couldn't capture the perfect shot, I just enjoyed the trip, taking many-many photos with a hope that I will have at least a few shots to share. :)

      Delete
  13. I've been past your hotel dozens (if not hundreds) of times - my wife used to work in a building just south of it. NYC is a great place. We worked there for a decade (lived in Connecticut first, then Westchester County). Great experience, although it takes energy. Sounds like you had a terrific trip.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, John, that city takes energy, but that wasn't the reason I left 12 years ago... I would go visit again but wouldn't want to live there for sure.

      Delete

Your warm comments put a smile on my heart.