Memphis Belle: New York City

Back in December my friend Mary and I took a trip to New York City. I have always wanted to go during the holidays to see the city decorated. We were there for 4 days and had a blast.

As we were approaching the airport I looked out my window and saw the Statue of Liberty, New York City, and Citi Field Ballpark (home to the New York Mets). New York looks so different looking out the window of an airplane.

Our first scheduled event was Radio City Music Hall to see The Rockettes and then over to Rockefeller Center.

Not only was I looking forward to all the decorations but also all the great food we were going to be able to enjoy. The first meal was at Serendipity and of course, we ordered a Frozen Hot Chocolate (along with our meal). Serendipity is a small restaurant with lots of white Christmas trees with blue, hot pink, purple, red decorations. They had a huge hot pink tree outside on their roof. The Frozen Hot Chocolate did not disappoint. It was incredible! If you go to NYC you have to try a Frozen Hot Chocolate at Serendipity.

We also went to Ground Zero. I'm sure anyone who sees the firetruck go by while you are at Ground Zero probably gets goose bumps and a little teary eyed. My dad is a retired fireman so in addition to the goose bumps and the tear in my eyes I also stood a little taller. Everything seemed to disappear for a few seconds when I saw the firetruck as I thought back to September 11th and began imagining the firemen running into the towers as everyone else was running out.

I also couldn't help but think of President Bush at Ground Zero speaking to all the rescue workers when someone yelled "We can't hear you" and President Bush replied quickly (and without a teleprompter) "I can hear you and soon the world will hear you also!"

Ground Zero is hallowed ground - no doubt about it.

Friday morning, Mary and I went to the Early Show. Let me just say, it was so cold outside but it was worth it since we were on tv.

After the Early Show, we jumped on a train to Hoboken, NJ to go to Carlo's Bake Shop from TLC's Cake Boss. We stood in line for about 1.5 hours but it was well worth the wait. After I got my cannoli and lobster claw (best ever) we headed back outside. The line was all the way down the street and around the corner.

We went to dinner one night at Sparks Steakhouse. Sparks Steakhouse is famous for being the place were Gambino crime family's boss, Paul Castellano and his body guard were shot and killed on the orders by John Gotti. When we walked in the host took our coats. They didn't ask if we wanted to check our coats - they TOOK our coats. After we sat down I looked around the restaurant and noticed that the only people working that night were men 50 years old or older. I swear the restaurant is owned by the mob. Mary is very picky about how her steaks are cooked. I made it very clear that if her steak showed up to our table and it was still mooing she was under no circumstance to send it back! ha ha

As we were leaving a brand new Rolls Royce pulled up to the restaurant. Of course I told Mary it was the mob.

We spent the day shopping. One of the many, many, many stores we went to was Macy's. It was so pretty decorated for Christmas. If you notice in the pictures below you will see an escalator. It is one of the original escalators. Yes, it is made of wood. You'll also see me standing in front of a green looking door. This is a tribute to Isidor and Ida Straus who died on the Titanic. In 2985 Straus and his brother bought the store from the Macy family. When Isidor and Ida died on the Titanic, the co-owner (his brother) decided to make a memorial to those lost on the Titanic, specially his brother and sister-in-law. That's the reason why this entrance is permanently closed.

Isidor and Ida are portrayed in the movie Titanic, briefly. They are the older couple who are lying on their bed together as their stateroom floods; however, that isn't how they died. They actually died while sitting on the deck holding hands. A huge wave crashed onto the deck and swept Isidor and Ida out to sea. Isidor's body was later found but Ida's body was not.

There is also a plaque inside the department store about Isidor and Ida Straus.