New York City - Day 4 - December 17th, 2013

We crammed as much as humanly possible into one day. We got up early and walked 10 minutes to Central Park. It was snowing hard and was windy, but it made it so perfect for Christmas time.  We couldn't stay long and we were getting cold so we rented a Pedicab. It was one of the highlights of my trip. It was scary going through the traffic. It was nice and warm in the little enclosed cab. He dropped us off right in front of Radio Music Hall. Then we went to the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular. And it was the whole reason I wanted to come to NYC. I have always wanted to see them here, and secretly wished I could have been one. ( we had our picture taken with one of them, and seriously I came up to her neck) It was a fantastic show. There was a Nativity Scene that is the prettiest I have ever seen. I loved every minute of it. We ate a slice of New York Pizza at at a small cafe with all the local businessmen on their lunch hour. We had to stand at a counter next to the window. It was fun watching all the people out in the snow. It is so pretty when it is falling on all the trees, etc. The next thing we did will always be special to me. I will be forever grateful to Tonya for doing this. I would have never done it. She found out where the hospital was located that I was born in. ( before I was adopted I lived in NYC for 2 weeks). We got on the subway at Grand Central Station. Totally different experience from yesterday. We were stuffed in like sardines. You couldn't move or see above all the tall people. The farther we went, the worse it got. Tonya started getting claustrophobic and wanted off. An older lady was next to us and heard us talking and tried to help us feel better. They had changed the route and we were not sure where to go and a nice guy told us where to get off next. The old lady got off and told us to not use our phones for directions, and to keep everything in our purses, and hold on tight to them or they could be snatched from us. After taking a taxi (and getting kicked off) we found the hospital. It was a strange feeling to see where I was born, and to think about how my life would have been so different if I had not been adopted, and had been raised in NYC. (I am eternally grateful that I was adopted and raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints)

Central Park

Pedicab

Waiting for Rockettes

Rockettes

Hospital where I was born!

That night we took a water taxi out to the Statue of Liberty. The lights on all the bridges, and the skyline was beautiful, but as we got closer to the Statue, I was in awe! I had tears streaming down my face. It was a very spiritual experience to see her up close. The statue is magnificent.(I had a hard time getting a good picture because the boat was rocking and my hands were shaking from the cold) I will have the beauty of it forever in my mind!

Statue of Liberty

Freedom Tower

Bridges

After this, we took the subway back to Time's Square. We saw where the ball will drop on New Year's Eve. That is the most lit up place I have ever seen. You can see all my pictures here.

Time Square