all you need is love

It was sunny today! Freezing cold but clear blue skies. So rediculously glad it wasn't wet cos it really did suck.

Last night had the luxury of two blankets and two sheets which was almost like a duvet, so nice and cosy even without our working radiator. Reluctanctly crawled out of bed in the morning to have a boiling hot (it was almost TOO hot) shower. Then headed out to the cafe for breaky then down to downtown and Chambers Street. After much walking in circles around blocks (map reading wasn't going too well as it was so cold I was more inclined to keep my hands in my pockets than out with the map) we eventually found ground zero. It was wierd seeing it again, 5 years on. The cross which I took a picture of last time had been moved to up against a building, so got another snap of it. Then looked at the signs advetising what they were going to do with the site. Its still at ground level, clearing up and not much building work going on. We walked all the way around, it was quite eiree and still really moving. Its hard to believe towers so huge fell to the ground into nothing there and so many people lost their lives. Its also strange to find such a large flat space in downtown N.Y. Anyway, after that we walked around the coast to Battery Park and the globe again (the one which had been in between towers). Walked around to Brooklyn Bridge (stopping off breifly for me to indulge in a little bit of cake eating...) and walked across it. The view was fantastic, especially because the sky was so blue and clear; perfect day to walk across, so thanks Rachel for suggesting that one! Got lots of pictures of the N.Y skyline with the Empire State and Chrysler. Once that was done we headed into Chinatown (skirting slightly off track at one point) which was pretty cool, I couldn't resist buying some lanterns cos they looked so amazing, so they are now being added to the box to go home...! Oh and we saw this lobster shop place where the windows were glass and half filled with waters and all these alive lobsters stuck to the side. It was soo disgusting, the water was all green and minging, I don't know who would want to eat anything which had been swimming in there. So anyway, then we tried to find Little Italy, but failed. We also thought we walked through little India but it looked pretty normal so whatever. Then got to Soho. Alice I can see you quite happily moving here. So many boutique clothes shops and amazing cafes. We had a lovely lunch in Soho Cafe before heading down the road to Bloomingdale's MoMA store. Got my dad the coolest present. I'm so chuffed with myself for finding it. After that we headed round to 5th Avenue and a few shops down there, but mostly all the same, GAP, Vickys Secret, Sephora etc. By this point it was pretty dark and we could see the Empire State and it was all lit up - red and pink for Valentines Day. We've seen tonnnnes of people with flowers, and loads of guys buying them last minute from the multi flower shops lining the roads. We had a rather amusing moment when busy taking pics of E.S and another pretty lit up building when I turned round by chance and we realised we were standing infront of the Flatiron building, haha. So got some pictures of that. Then we got up to the Public Library and Grand Central and saw the Chrysler building - my favourite in N.Y - it looked so lovely all lit up, and guess what? My camera ran outa battery! Not amused, had my little one with me but its so shit, all the pictures were blurred even on the shake thing and so I'm in a mood with it. Then we walked across to Times Sq to get the subway.

Since getting back we've been out for food at Picnic, a nice restuarant literally next to the hostel. The set menu for Valentines day was $65, and we were about to leave when the woman said we could just pick and choose and not have the set menu. So being left with the wine menu we ordered, avec alcohol! Very chuffed they thought we were 21, haha. I had an amazing white wine which I wasn't allergic too, it was a dry German Reisling. (Thats for my own future reference, I don't expect anyone to care, haha) The food was amazing, so gooood. I had roast chicken with v creamy mashed potato and runner beans. Was gorgeous. And it came to $61 in the end! So thats like 15 quid each. Niiice.

Anyway 2 mins left, must dash!

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