Bright lights, big city.

So I promised an update on my trip to NYC (for those loyal readers who have stuck around).
It was as hot as forty hells and there was crazy high humidity. I should be used to this because I'm from the south, but I tend to avoid exposure to the elements when it's that hot and humid outside. And it poured down rain daily. Like shoes full of water type rain.
Our first day, we got caught in a monsoon and decided to take refuge in Bloomingdales. We were casually looking around when I saw a sign for a celebrity signing that was happening at noon. It was 11:45 so we hopped in the short line. Mariska Hargitay (from Law and Order SVU) and Michael Cohen (of Michael Stars) were there to promote the Joyful Hearts Foundation that Mariska created for abuse victims. Mommy Dearest and I met Mariska and she was so genuine, warm, and friendly. And smokin' hot.

Isn't she stunning?

Later that night, we went and saw Mamma Mia at the WinterGarden Theater. It was good. I don't love ABBA, but it was very well done. I was just a little shocked about how the classy level of Broadway has declined. They were selling candy in the aisles and people were wearing jorts (aka jean shorts).

Here we go again...

How can I resist ya?

A stroll in the rain.

Outside the WinterGarden.

After the show, we managed to find a delicious Mexican restaurant, 10 minutes before the kitchen closed. We had magnificent margaritas, chips with spicy fig salsa, and pollo quesadilla with chihuahua cheese. Best meal ever. You must eat at Toulache. I can't even describe the yumminess. I'm drooling just thinking about it.
The next day, we did a cruise around the Statue of Liberty and went on to the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. It was nice. I wish we knew which of our relatives came through Ellis Island, but we don't. That would have made it a lot more interesting. (Thus begins my time on ancestry.com for research.)

Foggy morning.

A beacon of hope.

I loved the memorabilia inside the Ellis Island Immigration Museum.

The fog cleared and Ellis Island was beautiful.

We walked around and ended up eating lunch at Gray's Papaya, as had been recommended. Epic win. Mommy Dearest had her's with sauerkraut and mustard, and I had mine with chili and cheese. We also had the papaya juice and the pineapple juice. Mouthwatering. We loved it so much that we went back for seconds. I'm dreaming about the pineapple juice right now.

We were on a mission.

It was too crowded (and hot) inside, so yes, we did eat on a mailbox.

We took a trip to the World Trade Center Memorial and it was beautiful. The line was long and the weather was scorching but it was definitely touching. The space was filled with so much love and reverence.
We escaped a humid rainy afternoon inside the Guggenheim. I love the building and some of the art. I wasn't into the modern art so much. There were a lot of video pieces that were very obscure and just not my taste. As an Art History major in college, my teaching focused a lot on Italian Renaissance artwork and also French artists. Those are more of my taste.

Lovely architecture.  Frank Lloyd Wright does good work.

We did a lot of walking down Fifth Avenue. We started one morning at the Brooklyn Bridge and then made our way 50 blocks (by foot!) back to the Waldorf where we were staying. Sore feet, but we say a lot of cool things. We shopped several street fairs and came back with some jewelry and artwork. I enjoyed soaking in the local flavor.

The Brooklyn Bridge always makes me think of Sex and the City, when Steve and Miranda move out of Manhattan.  Anyone else?

Unnecessary signage.

I need this lamp in my life.

BUBBLES!

Clever street meat vendor.

I loved shopping around with all of the local street fairs.

Ironic?

We did the NBC Studio Tour at 30 Rockefeller and it was a lot of fun.
We ate magical gelato at Eataly. Salted caramel and mocha...I die. Mommy Dearest had hazelnut with pistachio. Not bad!

Mmmmmmmm...

We had a yummy brunch at The Shop at Andaz (also recommended to us) and it was yummy. We went actions to the Public Library but it was closed for the holiday. Sad face.

Brunch of champions.

On a late night stroll, we got to see the Empire State Building lit up in the red, white, and blue. It was lovely and patriotic on Memorial Day weekend.

Let freedom ring.

Did I miss anything fabulous that was worth seeing? Any recommendations for next time? Did anything I did and love it too? Let me hear from you.

Love and cuddles,
A