Christmas in the Big Apple

I have to admit, spending a day walking around NYC excited me when 

Jim signed us up for the bus trip a month ago. 

Christmas lights!

Fifth Ave window displays!

Roasting chestnuts!

But as the day grew closer and the weather showed a balmy 30 

degrees for a HIGH in the city, I began to grumble.

It will be soooo cold.

My feet will hurt.

It will be really crowded.

The bus ride is SO long.

But, my husband (in his infinite wisdom) basically told me to 

SUCK IT UP.

And honey, (and I don't often say this)

you were right.

New York City was magical.

Hustling, bustling...and signs of Christmas everywhere.

Getting to see it with two of our favorite people.

Fun shops, good food, relaxing bus ride both ways.

(winning the $100 raffle made it even sweeter)

Amazing window displays.

Street (and subway) musicians singing Christmas carols.

Skaters at Rockefeller center.

Overstuffed sandwiches from Carnegie Deli.

The day flew by. It was cold, but mostly manageable if you were moving.

And of course, there were photos.

One of my very favorite things about NYC is the architecture.

Old mixing with new.

Amazing respect for the care and detail and perseverance of the the 

builders and architects from a century ago.

Some examples:

 

 

 

 

Breathtaking.



And there were signs of Christmas everywhere...


Some literal...

Festive department store window displays....

 

But, most of all, you have to love the over the top way this city celebrates this holiday.

All the way down to FAO Schwartz's Jelly Bean Soldier.






And there is, of course, the food...

Corned beef at Carnegie Deli.

Hot, salty ginormous pretzels from the street vendors.

But if you want to talk food in NYC...you have to go here. 

Eataly

NYC's newest food emporium.

We had met up with our friends B. and B. who were on the bus trip with us.

They came to see their daughter Sarah, who lives in Brooklyn.

At the time we were debating about whether to head downtown (30+ blocks) to visit Eataly.

When she described it, though, as "Disney World for foodies", we were hooked.

Off we went.

We started walking...thinking about hailing a cab,

But instead decided to hop onto the subway.

Where we were serenaded with a rousing rendition of Feliz Navidad,

all the while staring at PSA's like this:

Oh, but Eataly was amazing.

(Jim reverently pats wheels of Parmesan Reggiano cheese)

We were fascinated watching her make pasta.

Truffles.

Tres expensive.

If you do the calculations... 29 grams equals one ounce.

Which means that one ounce of truffles costs $7.80x 28= 

$226.20

And who needs candy, when you have this to eat?

Oh, Eataly...we shall return. Next time, before lunch.

By the time we hopped on the subway to come back to midtown, we had about an hour to spare before the bus picked us up to head home...Dan googled "pubs" on his Droid and we walked a few blocks south to this fine Irish establishment....

 

Where we toasted our fabulous day.