2009-07-01

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Click the sun to see the
weather in Buenos Aires!


	We visit New York City for 10 days! This was in the middle of June but it was already pretty hot!




		We rented a studio apartment on 9th and 48th, a very central location known as “Hell’s Kitchen”.




		It was very close to Times Square so we took a walk around to stretch our legs from the long trip from Buenos Aires.


	They say the area was called “Hell’s Kitchen” because at one time it was a really dangerous part of the city. Now it’s been gentrified and it’s filled with neighborhood restaurants, shops, flower stands, and supermarkets. I was really awed by Times Square with all the crazy signs and wild advertising.


	Our first happy hour cocktail, an “Apple-tini”.




		I really miss hot and spicy foods like this.


		Our first dinner was at a Thai restaurant that was recommended by the guys we were renting the studio from, the food was great.



	The next day we went to visit the Empire state building.



		Waiting in line to get to the observation area, these beautiful plaques were lining the walls.



As expected, the views are amazing.




			This huge art deco mural is in the lobby.


	The architecture of New York is amazing.


	Walking around there are many public spaces, this small park had a wonderful waterfall backdrop.


	It’s amazing every time you turn your head you see something famous.

Day 2 happy hour. Walking the city is thirsty business

We took one of the open air buses that cruise the city, with a guide pointing out sites and landmarks. This triangular building is in many films and it’s in the lower part of Manhattan.


	We stopped to visit the “Ground Zero” site of the former World Trade Center. At the moment it’s a very busy construction site for the new “Freedom” tower buildings. I was disappointed that there was no kind of memorial, but there was information about the new memorial that will be created.




	An artists conception of the memorial that will be built in the footprint of the previous towers.


	Some heart wrenching images were adorning the tourist information booth.


	We jumped off the tour bus to walk across the Brooklyn bridge.






	You get really great views of Manhattan.


	Our friend Gustavo loves New York and he told us about a famous pizza place under the Brooklyn Bridge in Brooklyn, they opened at 11:30 and we got there at 12:15 and there was a line to get in of about 12 people.




			This really gruff looking guy would come out and escort people people in, I was scared to talk to him, he kind of had that stereotypical mean New Yorker look, but when I asked how long the wait was, he gave me a nice smile and said, “Only 10 minutes!”



		There was a sign in the window that said, “No Slices, you buy the whole pie!” The menu was very limited with just pizza and some anti pasta plates.


	A very simple place, looks like it hasn’t changed in 50 years. There were lots of Sinatra pictures on the walls so he must have been a customer. The pizza was pretty good!

The open kitchen where you can see them spinning the pizza dough.




	Day 3 happy hour!