Its a friggin hot day to be roaming around the city.
....
Wound up going through the water shooting from the ground at Battery Park to cool off during it while we watched the NYC Tumblers. Just got back about an hour ago. Wasn't so bad finding everything. Was only off from Vivolo's by a few blocks after we took a taxi to 71st and 1st (74th and Lexington). As for the rest of the trip...(will post some pictures tomorrow or Monday):Two friends with me were hustled within 2 minutes of getting off the bus
. Neither have really been to a large city and were approached with some home-made cd's that the guys were taking donations for. Signed them for them then started asking for $5 "donations" per cd. They tried to argue that they weren't donating, wouldn't be left alone and wound up giving them $10 for two cd's they threw in the trash
. I told them I didn't have any money and left me alone
Top of The RockWent during the day as soon as we got there since there was a chance of rain at night. Wanted to see it at night but was still an amazing view during the day. Will upload some pictures either tomorrow or Monday. Took a subway up to Tom Diner, Columbia University, St. Paul? Cathedral. NY Lotto was filming in the diner so we didn't get to go in but still cool to go by it. Walked along the front lawn of the campus. Spent a little time around there before heading down to find Arturo's Pizza and Little Italy (the 2 guys that hung out with us were both italian and eager to visit there to check it out).Found Arturo's Pizza fairly easily and found out they weren't open until 4 so backtracked a block and went to Demarco's. Pizza was excellent plus got to sit out by the sidewalk so a view of the construction while we ate. Walked what seemed like a long way to Mulberry Street and ventured through Chinatown and Little Italy and a piece or so of Soho. Found some dvd's, none so far were the bad quality I've seen before. Really surprised. Also got a nice wallet and some sunglasses. Friends with me bought some watches and I think 1 "Rolex".Headed on the subway again to Wall Street and walked the whole way from a church, not sure which it was but it was right near the exchange. Walked the whole way down Wall Street area down to the water. They wanted to check out the Statue of Liberty and I was ready to sit down for a little so rode the Staten Island Ferry. Good view and it was free, can't really beat that. After we got back we watched the Tumblers for a while. It was bout 6 or so so time to head up to Vivolo for dinner.Took the subway up to 59th street to transfer trains to go up to 77th but there was a delay on the 6 train that we were transferring to and since it was getting close to 7 by this point we took a taxi up to 71st and 1st. Couldn't find Vivolo's, asked a couple on the street and we dialed 411, got the exact address and headed up about 5 blocks. Made it about 15 minutes early or so for our reservation.Dinner @ Vivolo's. First, we were completly underdressed. Hotel is in NJ and we came prepared to walk around the city. The setup they had for 12 of us upstairs was nice. Was told when I made the reservation they would have lasagna just night before. Got there and didn't have it so went with the stuffed shells which were very good. The food was good but the service was horrible. The two waiters said hardly a word at all and 5 of us sat there with empty glasses for almost 10 minutes. The four of us arrived 15-20 minutes before the rest of the group. We sat there and were not offered or even asked if we'd like anything to drink while we waited. Also took about 40-45 minutes for our food. I'm not sure if this is normal at a restaurant in NYC but it just seemed like a really long time to me. We should have just stuck with the Olive Garden in Times Square.Took a taxi right outside the door to Times Square to hang out there until 11 when the bus picked us up. Spent a little over an hour there at the shops to buy some stuff since we could pack it and not have to carry it around the city for a long time. Girlfriend convinced me into one of those artists in Times Square that draw your portrait. Took 10 minutes for both of us together and was just amazing work and the fact that they are all over the place with that ability was just amazing to me.SATURDAYOur bus driver took some of us into the city at 7 instead of 10 to be on the CBS Early Show which was very cool. Bus driver was the best I've had on a trip before.Stayed around the early show for a bit and may or may not have been on. Just wasn't that exciting so we checked out the Apple Store and the opening of FAO Schartwz. The opening was pretty cool. The toy soilders roll out the red carpet and announce the opening with a trumpet. Once you walk in about 20-30 employees line both sides and the building is roaring with applause and welcomes. Was a pretty cool experience. Never have seen anything like it.Went to Central Park after FAO and pretty much just walked wherever we felt. We wound by some 3-K walk with a ton of people there. Just took different routes the whole way through and not really sure what we saw but it was worth the trip in and is pretty much a whole day in itself. Will have to plan that for next time we come up to NYC. The other 3 with me were all complaning of the walking by the time we got out
and were about to walk another 24 blocks to NBC Studio. Got to the studio about 1/2 hour early and they fell asleep on the bench inside while we waited
.The NBC Studio was interesting. Got to check out the SNL set and Conan set. While in the tour we saw the breaking news about the JFK terrorist plot which was kinda scary considering we couldn't hear what was going on and didn't know exactly what was happening. It was neat and all to see the inside of NBC Studio but don't think it was worth the time/money. Would have rather have spent the time in Central Park.Had some more pizza, at Pronto's across the street from NBC Studio. Was also good, not as good as Demarco's but I am not a huge fan of that type of pizza. I think I have a place that still makes brick oven pizza in my city and may have to start going there for some pizza.
Rest of the trip just walked from there down to Times Square and went into more of the buildings while we waited for the bus.Aside from the service and time at dinner everything was great. Wish I could have tried Arturo's but still had great pizza regardless. Would have liked to see Yankee Stadium before it's going down and getting to the Ground Zero area but there's only so much time. Can't wait to come back again