New York, New York! - Let's See It All Pt. 1

What better way to the city then from someone who walks it every day?

We took off to get to know the city on a "Real New York" tour - where our tour guide showed us the ins and outs, and most importantly the ups and downs of the city. Our Real New Yorker lead us from one end of the Island of Manhattan and the green lawns and horse carriages of Central Park (well, not currently pastures, at least anymore - those crazy city people) to the other end and the narrow streets and cement canyons of the Financial District.

Our great journey - by great I of course mean 6 hours and 13 miles of New York paced walking - began at the Paramount Plaza, which we should've been able to find much quicker than we did as it was just outside our already explored Times Square.

We did make it despite some slight misdirection, although we definitely looked like a bunch of tourists (this would not be the first, and definitely not the last time that that would happen), and took off to Times Square (again) and then to the Subway to make our way to the beautiful Central Park.

We rode our way through the rumbling tunnels, the younger sister is still figuring out that I'll post all of her faces up, and my mother as usual was making best friends with our touring partners. As we made our way up from the subway, the city presented us with it's usual bustling noise, but as we crossed the streets and through the gates of Central Park, the noise began to filter out and you could almost imagine you were miles away from the towering steel and windows - although the city was never far away.

Fun fact that we were given by our tour guide that hasn't been further researched, so don't quote me on them:
 Everyone hated the angel on the Bethesda Fountain (yes, you recognize it, it's in all the movies), because they though she looked like a peasant.

Schist - be careful how you say that one - is the reason for the great city and it's ability to stay upright.

Our walk through the park couldn't last forever though, a bathroom break was necessary. Which meant we were going to make our way to The Plaza Hotel!
Feeling just like Eloise, we vowed to come back for desserts and then snuck into their bathrooms - which sported only 1 ply toilet paper, what's with that Plaza Hotel? - as it seems they apparently frown on pedestrian, sweaty tour groups traipsing through their lobby.

See more New York at:
New York, New York! Let's See It All Pt. 2
New York, New York! Welcome to Times Square

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