Friday, May 18, 2018

NYC - Travelling with my (lovely) almost 7 year old

 I have been waiting for this moment since I became a mom: to take my daughtgers on adventures. As Juju turns 7 years old this month, and my birthday coming up as well,  I thought it would be great for us to celebrate it with a short trip to NYC. Just the two of us. It's the first time the two of us spend more than a day together, alone. A real mom and daughter bonding.


We took a one hour and fifteen minutes Porter flight at Toronto Island's airport to Newark airport. The Toronto part was a piece of cake, but we spent more time going through American immigration in New Jersey: one hour and half in line to check passports.  



As we were leaving the plane a great surprise: both pilot and co-pilot were two young friendly women. They immediately invited Juju into the cockpit AND even lent her the hat to take a picture. 
That made her day!


By the time we checked in at the hotel, it was almost 4pm. And since we hadn't really had a decent meal all day, we went out for dinner. The streets of Manhattan are full of surprises. 
Here is a giant Pikachu.


Close to Times Square we encountered a pacific pro-Palestinians  protest.


Juju was mesmerized with being at Times Square. It's difficult to explain how overwhelming that place can be, but in a positive way. You just have to go with the flow and let your senses absorb as much as possible. 




If you are ever in NYC, make sure you have at least one meal at Ellen's Stardust Diner. What an experience! THANKS FOR THE TIP, BRYN!
The food is not bad, but the whole point is the entertainment. Waiters take turns singing live songs and interacting with the guests among tables. The line ups can be bad, so I suggest you to have a meal between lunch and dinner (at around 3 or 4pm). We waited for about 30 minutes, at 5pm. Reservations can be made only for groups of 20 or more people.


Most of the staff here are wannabe Broadway performers. 
Apparently, some servers do get musical parts and leave the restaurant. Others come back.


http://ellensstardustdiner.com


Juju had an amazing time, dancing and singing as well. And we got to celebrate our birthdays with other guests. Some of the waiters were walking on this catwalk right behind her, which made her feel even more special. She was so upset when I had to ask for the bill. 
"I wish I lived here and I could come here for dinner every night," she said!!!! 


Juju took a picture of me with my well deserved pint of beer, right when the room light changed. 
I think it's a cool effect, isn't it?


After dinner Juju had a "Fun Time" ice cream from a street vendor.


We stopped for a bit at Bryant Park on the way back to the hotel. 
Lots of people were just enjoying the spring time after working hours.


FROM WIKIPEDIA:
Bryant Park is a 9.603-acre (38,860 m2) privately managed public park located in the New York City borough of Manhattan. It is located between Fifth and Sixth Avenues and between 40th and 42nd Streets in Midtown Manhattan.[1] Although technically the Main Branch of the New York Public Library is located within the park, effectively it forms the park's functional eastern boundary, making Sixth Avenue the park's primary entrance. Bryant Park is located entirely over an underground structure that houses the library's stacks, which were built in the 1980s when the park was closed to the public and excavated; the new library facilities were built below ground level while the park was restored above it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bryant_Park


A surprise prepared by the hotel staff was waiting for us at the room.
How sweet!


JUJU'S CUTE QUOTES:

"When I am travelling, my least favourite part is when I go to bed"
"I don't like travelling in a group. I like to be free"
" NYC isn't that bad after all!" (being sarcastic)
"It looks like the whole city is Chinatown" (referring to how busy NYC it is)
"It's ok to jaywalk... we are in New York!"

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