On Tuesday we woke up at the crack of dawn...aka 8 AM. We packed our bags, checked out of our rooms, and put our bags in this room thingy so we didnt have to haul them around. We hopped on the subway and rode to Battery Park. Near Battery Park we went to an awesome bakery and had delicious bagels and shmear, but kevin had a croissante. After that we walked back to the park and bought our tickets to get on a ferry to Ellis Island, near the Statue of Liberty. On the ferry we met a group of "college" students from Liverpool, England and from Texas. At Ellis Island we went inside the Immigration Museum. Kiera and Krystal actually found out about relatives that passed through registration. It was neat because they got to see the ship they rode, their age, their signature, and other incredble things. When we got off the ferry we walked around Battery Park and ate food from street vendors. Heather's purse broke so we had to go back to the hole in the wall store, but they wouldn't let her exchange it. After that we got our bags, and took off to Penn Station to head out to Long Island. There was a Haagan Daaz and so stocked up on the sweets we thought we wouldn't have at the friary. When we made it Brother Jacob, Lloraine, Lorane took us to the house. When we arrived we just kinda played it cool. Everyone picked out rooms and settled in the cottage guest house. The place has everything we need and all the tea you could want. Its been glamorous in a holy sort of way and great all around! :)(:
Friday, March 21, 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
St. Patty's Day Fun
Monday we awoke VERY early in the morning to try our luck at finding our fifteen minutes of fame on the today show. Unfortunately, the only thing we got on film was a flailing arm or two trying to jump over the croud to be seen. As we were leaving, Mary ran into one of the show's guests, David Hernandez who was recently voted off American Idol. She got to get her picture taken with him and as you can see he put his arm around her, evoking much excitement from Mary. To top it all off, apparently he smells very good.
After our cold experience with the Today Show we hopped on a greyline bus for another tour. We got to see times square, greenwhich village, and the empire state building just to name a few. We got off at ground zero to find an emotional, but touching display. We learned about the day of the attacks and the plan for the memorial currently being built. It was amazing seeing the gap in the buildings where the trade centers once were. It truly looked like there was something missing. We then went across the street to St. Paul's Chapel which was unhurt on the day of September 11th because of a tree that took the trauma. St. Paul's was a vital part of rescue attempts and a place for workers on that day. We attended a peace prayer service they hold there every day. We're glad our prayers were a part and hope that they can help make a difference.
After a heavy afternoon, we went back to our hotel for some rest and then checked out some shopping opportunities around the hotel. We found some good buys and were very excited.
That night after a fabulous dinner in little Italy, we headed by subway to rockefeller center for some ice skating. After many falls, but many more graceful glides we headed back to the hotel for some much needed sleep.
And thus our busy last full day in Manhattan came to a happy close.
Mary with American Idol star David Hernandez at the Today Show. It was the "We love Redheads" special! Yay Mary!
