I stood on the platform three levels underground, with 4 rail tracks running in each direction, sandwiched the platform thin. The trains howling through the station like dragons in fire.
After checked into the hotel, I went to the dungeon again, rode the dragon down to the city to get two bottles of good red wine, and headed to the pot of gold in the city-- Wall Street. I saw Trinity Church, visited it, but the hustle and bustle of the city couldn't seem to be calmed by the Church.
I walked down the Wall Street, found Gold Street, Pearl Street, the stock exchange and the world trade centre, which is being re-built now.
As the dusk drawn close, I was at the China town. It was rather spooky, the flickering lights from the shops, darkness, wet roads, I felt as if I was walking down a spirit town. I couldn't remember hearing much noise.
I left China town to find a Starbucks, got myself a cup of Apple Caramel, and two pieces of cakes for my birthday next day, only to consume it on the spot.
I ended that day with Salvador Dali's exhibition at the Columbus Circle shopping mall.
These are my favourites:
The Space Elephant
The Melting Clock
The Vision of The Angels
Some random pictures around that shopping mall, can you tell which one is inside which one is outside?
The trees outside the shopping mall:
Woke up fresh the next morning, started my birthday morning by taking a brisk walk in the Central Park. That was the best part I love about Manhattan so far...
Random skyline viewed from Central Park.
Left the hotel after that, got lost in the New York Penn station, finding a train to Poughkeepsie.
The train journey reminded me of the time I travelled to visit Fiona. I used to visit Fiona every year Christmas when I was in UK.
The train rode along Hudson river, it was absolutely stunning. And Poughkeepsie is magical. I was so glad that I wasn't in Manhattan anymore.
I gave the wines to my colleague who picked me up at Poughkeepsie, and spent the remaining time helping her to prepare Thanksgiving dinner. She bought me a pumpkin pie flavoured ice-cream for birthday. It was very cinamony, very seasonal flavour. Nice.
Woke up on 25th Thanksgiving, decided not to go to Manhattan for Macy's Parade. We put the turkey in the oven and took a long walk on the old rail way track. It was high above the Hudson river, and gave a good view of Poughkeepsie.
I love that town. I also visited Vassar College, which is very traditional and charming. I love thier observatory, and liked the fact that the lady lecturer insisted that the observatory was built for her, before she took up the teaching position.
The Thanksgiving dinner was very warm, my colleague's grandkid requested everyone on the table to mention something that he/she was thankful for. I was thankful for being invited to the Thanksgiving dinner and the good health.
When Black Friday came, I left Poughkeepsie early, headed back to Manhattan. Left my luggage at storage, walked around mid-town with my laptop back pack. I was too affraid to enter the dungeon of dragons again.
I enjoyed the walk mostly, because it was like a treasure hunt. The buildings were too tall, I couldn't see far; and my GPS wasn't working, I only knew roughly the directions of the places I wanted to go.
A turn at a corner, I saw the Grand Central Station. It was thrilling to walk inside, I felt as if I was lost in the 60's.
There was a Christmas market in the station, and there was a Japanese guitarist, who looked like a manga character, playing great but rather sad songs in the station.
I continued the journey, allowing myself to get lost on the surface of Manhattan. I accidentally found the State library, which was featured in "The day after tomorrow". The library is very traditional and magical. The staircases criss-crossed leading to different sections of the library, just like the movie. I sat in the library for a while, fulfilling the dream I had while visiting Washington. I really wish to have a grand reading room like this. I can't tell you how much I was thrilled by the library itself. I really enjoyed getting lost in the library, be it the NY or the Washington ones.
I continued to walk randomly, I found the Empire State building: (inside)
Empire State Building outside.
The skating ring at Bryant Park.
News reporter at the entrance of Macy's.
Random shot outside Macy's.
The Time Square, random shot.
The time square building.
I called it a day early, took the luggage, got lost again in NY Penn Station a few times before I boarded the train to New Jersey for my final night.
Of all the hotels I stayed throughout the trip, Hotel Indigo in NJ was the best. It was comfortable and practical. I felt very comfortable, that I woke up 1 hour late... therefore didn't make it to the liberty state park. I head straight to the airport, missed the station once, got through the long and slow security check, arrived at the gate 15 mins before boarding.
That concludes my entire birthday trip.
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