OMG NYC is a Blur

I have no idea where the last two days have gone.

It has been a blur of sight seeing, laughs and great food and wine.  Our party is having a ball.

Yesterday morning started with a bang - we had approached a seller of sight seeing bus tours near Grand Central Station,  and the competiton is so intense for the tourist dollar, that we actually started a turf war between the sellers.  It was hilarious to watch them fighting over our businees, and one even accompained us up the street, showing us the sights and being super helpful. We had already decided to go with him, but kept him on the string and made him earn his commission.

Before we got on the bus, we had to find alternate accommodation, as we have told the guy who organised our current apartment that we will not be taking up the new apartment for two nights on Tuesday and Wednesday.  We actually were not quite that polite about it, but that is a long
 story I don't have time for at the moment.

Finally managed to get into the Hioliday Inn on the Lower East Side and we are now really looking forward to the change in scenery and a new neighbourhood.

The day on the bus was really informative, and gave us a much better perspective of the city. We were amazed at the difference between Manhattan and Brooklyn in both scenery and mood.  A really long day was capped off with a traditional Italian dinner at Rossinis's on East 38th street, where home made lasagne, chiken, veal and seafood dishes were complemented by good wine and Italian beers.
Nine weary campers were ready for a long session of Zeds.

Monday started with breakfast at Grand Central station and a walk to Times Square before another bus ride - this time to Harlem and The Bronx.  There is also a great disparity in economic and cultural levels between there and Manhattan, and the deals we saw on the sidewalk left us in no doubt that, despite the guides comments, there has been little change in the crime rates.  We were left wondering what life might be like in the high rise community housing areas we saw.  None of us could get our heads around it.

We also cant't believe how big it is - it goes on forever !!

A stroll back to the West End Bar and Grill - our old stomping ground from 2011 was great, and we followed that with a great meal at Bryant Park, a few quiet beers and home for Juniors Cheesecake.
I guess this sounds like an eat-athon, but honestly, we have done so much walking, that we are probably (hopefully) losing some weight.

Moving out of our current luxurious digs tomorrow -  into individual rooms - we will miss the company of nine people in the unit, but looking forward to somewhere where all the facilities work
and things are a little (lot) cleaner.

All in all, despite out whines and whinges, we have not done too badly in this unit - the beds have been comfortable and we have had enough space. The experience of an authentic New York  apartment has been a good one, but not sure we could do it long term.

Tomorrow is another day and another experience in this amazing city.