It's only just begun....

Once we were settled with evening tickets, we covered as much local territory as we could. After the library, we walked to the Chrysler Building. The elegant foyer is open to the public and pictures of the elevator doors are possible if you lean in over the security gates. Art Deco at its most famous, this 30's building is gorgeous inside and out. This building along with the Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center were all built in the 30's - a time of economic upheaval that obviously didn't affect everyone. The Empire State Building was built in just over 400 days!

Another turn-of-the-century Beaux Arts Building, Grand Central Terminal was saved the fate of the original Penn Station when Jackie Onassis lobbied to save it from demolition. Gold chandeliers, pink marble halls and vast spaces with vaulted ceilings are evidence of the extreme wealth of families such as the Vanderbilts who built it. 

Sitting down in a Thai Restaurant close to the theater district was a welcome relief for our aching feet. We then walked over to the New Amsterdam (not new any more!). Mary Poppins was a strange effort - an attempt to combine the charm of an old-school musical and elaborate sets with updated and disappointing songs and lyrics, strangely dissonant voices and campy acting. We gave it a thumbs down! We left the theater after dark but you'd never know it in Times Square. It is completely lit and full of people - impossible to tell the time of day or night. We headed for the subway and train for New Jersey, thankful for our sweet driver who was waiting at the station ready to pour us into bed! Day one complete, five to go.....