New York 2010

Though have seen so much of New York, it was still very exciting to go back and see again on 12th June 2010. It was all the more interesting to visit the place with my parents and my baby, they were seeing it for the first time.... We had suddenly decided to go over just the previous night. My husband did the study to check the bus timings and place from where we can start, so we decided to leave as early in the morning and to Transportation center in East Brunswick.

We had a good breakfast, Semiya Upma, wishing that it would give us some energy to start the long day, and drove down to Transportation Center, with all the necessary packaging :) for baby and for our day snacks, I got nice scolding for carrying so much, since others had to carry those too :) We realized that there are no buses on weekends from Transportation Center to quickly headed towards Tower Center Bus Stations, since the bus was at 8.25 AM, and it was past 8. My hubby quickly dropped me to get tickets while he helped my parents to get down with my son Akilan, and I got the ticket and waited praying that bus should not come till he parks and comes, and he just made it in the nick of time, and we made it sharp at 8.25 AM, we started with out Handy-cam and Photo shoots, and it all started with a nice bright morning.

It took about 45 mins to reach Port Authority Bus Terminal at New York City, and we got down wondering where the elevator(lift) is, so that we can get down easily with the Stroller and other baggage.... Of course all were scorning me for the luggage.... My parents were avoiding the escalator and still had to take it in a couple of places, and made it to the exit. We came out to the busy world of New York City, in Time Square, and decided to explore more of it later the day, so went towards the Subway Station to take the Metro Train to the Statue of Liberty. We were giving few information for our parents on the way and they were zapped at the busy and tall buildings all over already. After he purchased the tickets in the vending machine ($8.25!) per day per person, fun pass, we went looking in the map for the train number and went right there after inquiring an officer and boarded the train.

We got down in Wall Street, and suddenly we were in front of New York Stock Exchange and the Federal Building, wow we had not seen this before!, after seeing costliest corner of the world, showed the Trinity Church to our parents, and went looking out for the bull. We landed at the WTC remains and the new construction, and the went towards the Bull, took some snaps and then towards the Statue. Oh my, what a long queue....saying this, I went to get tickets, and the others stood in the queue, Realized the waiting is more than an hour and also we crossed the timing to go to the Crown and even the Pedestal, and waited in the queue, as we neared the entrance, we realized there was an airport like security, so we put all metallic stuff - belt, watch, mobile.... in a bag and then put all inside, and we and that got scanned.

Finally we were in the Cruise, "Miss New York", and headed towards the Liberty Statue, Lady Liberty always is charming, My parents were all excited, my father was wondering the technical details, which we later collected back at home in Google to realize it was all Copper and the golden tinge has changed to green because of the chemical reactions of the sea breeze, and the huge tons of steel and concrete also which forms part of the construction and all that....., My mother was liking the cool breeze the cruise drive, Akilan was looking around and the busy world, which was new to him, My husband was reminded of the earlier visits we both had and of course me too.... We landed there and had our photo sessions, and went around the lady, tried giving Akilan some snacks, and went around.... Then we sat down to have our lunch which we packed from home, hoping now the weight of our single baggage would be divided among us :) We got back after some shopping in the Cruise to the Battery Park, this time, my parents and me went up the cruise, while my Akilan and his dad were relaxing down. Oh the breeze was so nice. We reached the shore and went towards the subway station, disappointed going up and down looking for elevator, the stroller carrying exercise was not easy, Chidam was taking the trouble all the time....

Finally we got in at South Ferry Station and reached Bryant Park Station, and got out..... Wow, the bright and busy world again, we started explaining the concept of Avenues and Streets, and of course the tall sky scrapers were self explanatory to my parents, all astonishing them. Then of course Grand Central Metro Rail Station in New York, oh what a great train station, with its tall Ceiling, bright Chandeliers, the central Four faced, Opal Clock, and more than all the busy movement all over.... We came out again and showed were i earlier worked in ABN, and then went to United Nations to show where my husband worked for United Nations. Then we walked back....(my parents (legs) were so tired), still made it back to Times Square, of course all along the photo sessions, video sessions, and showing places like Fifth Avenue, Empire State, Chrysler Tower were all happening, Mc Donald's Hot chocolate, coffee and Fries gave a little refreshment before we continued to Times Square, and we liked the interesting change there, where we can literally sit in the middle of the road, yes this change was nice , there were chairs and tables where people can relax looking at the busy world, We realize we were already about half a day long there and now it was time to head to the bus station.

We were on time to catch the 8.30 PM bus back home....We were all tired, but nice memories, and a beautiful day withe a beautiful weather supporting us, was all in our minds, as we relaxed back at home the remaining part of the weekend.