New York Day 1
We arrived in Manhattan earlier than expected due to strong tailwinds and a Yellow Cab got us here just before rush hour. Getting ahead of the rush hour was a must as we were staying in Times Square. We checked into the Oyo Hotel just off 7th Ave./47th St west. The hotel had a designer reception area, and I thought this was a good choice. Wrong! The reception is just for show; the rooms are like large boxes and just about functional. The air conditioner was noisy and the only window looked into a dark shaft. We complained about lack of housekeeping, only later in our trip were we told that housekeeping is now on request due to COVID. In New York hotels charge a large tax over and above the room cost, so that cost us $160. Oyo is not recommended.
After we had dumped our bags we headed out. As we left the hotel the maelstrom hit us, noise, people, construction, horns. It is some sort of organised chaos, it assaults the senses like too much salt in gravy or too much vinegar on chips.
Dive Bars
I had researched “Dive Bars” ahead of time, in an attempt to find cheap beer. This was a must as we were staying in Times Square. Jimmy’s Corner is on 44th St. so we made a beeline for that particular bar. The canopy was holey and dirty, and the door looked like it had been kicked many times. I was hesitant, but what the hell, we could always leave again. We stuck our heads around the door and instantly felt the atmosphere; it was busy, mostly locals, not a tourist in sight, with tatty pictures of boxers all over the walls. Jimmy had a gym on 42nd st, the barman tells us; he died 2 yrs ago. This was definitely going to become our New York local.
We asked for suggestions to eat, and they sent us next door to Virgils. It was an American BBQ joint, the 1st of many, The food was excellent but, typically New York prices. The chicken was done to perfection with a Kentucky rub; it also came with 2 sides, Mac ‘n Cheese and Slaw. Debi ate a massive burger. Portions here are enough for at least 2. A little pricey, but by this time we had been up for at least 15 hrs, so we just wanted to eat and sleep
New York day 2
The next morning I hit the streets, so to speak. I headed for 3rd Ave to Ess-a-Bagel to bring breakfast back to our room. There was a queue even tho it we as only 07.00am. By the time I left the line was snaking down the street. Scallion Cream Cheese and Lox (New York lingo for Smoked Salmon) was my choice, Debi had a BLTA (A for avocado). These Bagels set us up for the day, which was a good thing, as we had a lot to see.
Bryant Park
We took in The Empire State Building and Bryant Park before we headed over to the High Line. Bryant Park is an amazing place, about the size of 2 tennis courts. The is always something going on, old guys sitting at wobbly tables playing Chess, business people having brunch, on the other side there is even an area dedicated to reading. Nobody seems to sit on the grass or weren’t doing so when we were there. At one end there is a restaurant and at the other end a huge stage. We would return here in a few days.
The Hudson Yards area
The walk to Hudson Yards and the start of the cultivated section of the High Line was further than expected. We could see the building called The Edge getting closer. We could also see the glass viewing platform and tiny figures moving around. Too high for me and a glass floor to boot. No thanks. The piece of architecture called The Vessel seemed pointless, yet it had a beauty about it. It was closed so we didn’t need to climb all the steps. The Highline is a disused railtrack, that went into redundancy with the advent of road haulage. The nearby residents petitioned the Mayor to turn it into a green area. Now, it is a sort of park running from Hudson Yards down to Chelsea. We walked it’s length and into Chelsea Market, a popular food hall. I found it a little disappointing and prefer Time Out Market in Brooklyn.
Discerning New York architecture!
The Village
On we went towards Greenwich Village and Washington Square. We had to stop off for blister packs. Our feet were not quite bleeding but it was close. Desperate for a drink and a rest, seems most bars don’t open until 3pm, I walked into a gay bar! I didn’t even notice until Debi pointed out the name, The Stonewall Inn. Even the gay pride bunting didn’t give me a clue; but the staff were nice and the beer very cold.
Of course Debi had to find Carrie Bradshaws house (Sex in the city), while we were in the village. After that, nursing our blisters we got on the subway back to our hotel.
That evening we went to The Bathtub Gin, a prohibition style bar with the entrance at the back of a coffee shop. It was perfect, dimly lit with intimate tables, gin cocktail menu camouflaged in a newspaper, attentive waiters and great burgers. The place has a large copper bathtub in the middle of the room. The evening was topped off with Burlesque dancers on Tuesdays, different entertainment every night. We had booked this place and it was full. We popped into Terra Blues before we retired after a very tiring day.
