Sunday in NYC

June 6

[left] Central Park
[center] The M & M store --- need some chocolate?

[right] The Empire State Building

Got up this Sunday morning and left the hotel looking for adventure. Breakfast on the cheap at McDonalds, and then a leisurely trek up 5th Avenue. We made it all the way to Central Park and took a break under the trees and watched people for a bit. Then before heading back south we went to the Apple Store---lots of people interested in ibooks and imacs and a cool store under street level so you walk down the steps into the store. We wanted to go to F.A.O. Schwartz, but the store didn't open until later, so we headed to South a few blocks and then west to Broadway. We went through the M&M store three floors of chocolate and related merchandise. Also across the street to the Hershey Store---much more modest. We then went in seach of lunch---the first deli was a little pricey $14.00 for a sandwich or salad. Found another a few feet off Broadway and had huge sandwiches for much less. We keep getting large amounts of food for a meal even when we try not to and so no dessert even though it looks soo! good. We walked through Times Square and kept going south. We went to the Empire State Building which was not so busy on a hazy day. We didn't wait it line at all and soon ended on the 86th floor observation deck. Wow! what a view, so interesting. Then down through the gift shop---remembering anything we bought would have to be carted across the ocean twice---we bought nothing. A short walk and a bead store or two back to the hotel for a break. Didn't buy any of the cool beads we saw either. We took naps and relaxed in the cool room. Did I mention that it was quite warm and humid today.

After a break--out again, in a brief rain, to a book store. It had all kinds of things not found easily in Iowa. Bought one only one discardable book each and then back down 5th Avenue looking for dinner. We had a choice of New York Pizza or soup and a salad. Again the meal was big---one salad and one soup for the two of us, so again no dessert for Neil. Then back to the hotel and relaxation. 21,896 steps on the pedometer wow!

Tomorrow the ship sails.