This was the view as we passed on the ferry. You could only imagine how immigrants must have felt seeing this image after fleeing deprivation and starvation in Ireland and Europe. First we walked around the statue then we made our way to the base. After walking around the plinth I decided to climb the statue. Sounded like a good idea, at least in the beginning. Made it to the Crown, but let me say the climb was quite challenging. Once there I loved the view. Next stop on the ferry is Ellis Island. I thought all arrivals came there. In fact First and second passengers were disembarked in Manhattan then the third class (steerage) passengers were brought to the main hall. This is the hall where everyone had to line up for medical examinations. Many were held in quarantine areas where the possibly sick became definitely sick. Decided to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. Made it. It was a great walk but you have to keep a sharp eye out for speeding, rude, bike riders. At “ DUMBO” Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass. From the front in Brooklyn. On the ferry back to Manhattan. At Ground Zero, World Trade Centre Memorial. On the train from Washington to New York Linda had read a story in a magazine about a young woman who died in the attack. She was meant to be off work that day, but had went in to get her ultrasound picture from her desk to show her mum. Linda had found the story very upsetting, so you can imagine how she felt when she stopped at the exact point in the memorial where the girl’s details were. We went on a walking tour around the financial sector. And whole on the tour we ended up in a church grave yard. The guide asked if anyone had heard of Alexander Hamilton. This was years before the musical. Only Linda in the group had heard of him and his background. At this time you could freely walk around the headstone. The next time I was in New York the gates to the graveyard were locked shut. Heading up Empire State Building. When the lift stops at the 80th floor you still have six more floors to walk to the main viewing gallery. On a night river cruise. Linda really wanted a Pretzel. I think the Flatiron Building is my favourite building in NY. Heading into Washington Park on our way downtown. Apparently you have to be prepared for the most abusive service to get the best dumplings in China Town. Had to stop for a Peroni in Little Italy. My first visit to Strawberry Fields in Central Park. We went for dinner then on to see Chicago. I don’t have a photo from the theatre and obviously we did not see Liza Minnelli playing, but we did get to see Alan Cummins in the performance.
Les McLaughlan 