Hello old friends.

After eating our wonderful Bagels at Bagel Bob's, Emma and I decided to try a double-decker bus to give us a nice look around the city.  The subways are all underground...not like the L in Chicago.

(We have taken buses like this before in Rome and Chicago.  We have also gone on numerous architectural tours in Chicago.  All had been worth the fee. This one was NOT.)

Our tour guide was a fool.

He basically just listed the stores as we passed them.

He told three or four inappropriate jokes about women.

He did not inform us on ANYTHING.

As we drove by the Empire State building, I asked how many stories it was...

he did not know.

We could not wait to get off that bus.

Our last stop with the bus was Ground Zero/Freedom tower.

The newest building at Ground Zero is the train terminal.  It is designed by a Spaniard named Calatrava.  You may recognize this style....it is very much like the Art Museum in Milwaukee.

Isn't it beautiful?

Well.  I just looked up an article to link here on the Winged Dove/terminal and the New Yorker and most other articles have nothing nice to say about it.  Too expensive. Boondoggle. 

Oh well.  I think it is spectacular and I don't care.  I like it.

It was extremely windy on Friday afternoon so the water was turned off.

Although I thought I would feel sad and reflective I was overwhelmed by the sights and wind and crowds.  This is a recurring theme of this trip. 

It is a very beautiful place and I am glad to have seen it.

I just think I needed a bench....for reflection.

They 9/11 Museum had a very long line and we would not have been able to get in for hours.

If you go to New York, purchase tickets in advance for this museum. 

I had never seen the entrance to One World Trade Center.  I liked the green and white.

With the Freedom Tower behind me I took this picture.  That's the museum on the far left.

By four o'clock Emma and I found a place to eat.   

We went to Katz's Deli.  It is in the East Village and is very well know.

When Harry met Sally has a very famous scene at this deli.

"I'll have what she's having."

When you walk in you are handed a ticket that they say they will need back when you leave.

There is a huge counter with about ten 'stations'.  People were lined up 8 people deep at each station.

You order your sandwich and then go stand in another line to order your drink.

We waited for about five minutes and we were packed in like pickles and I didn't like it.

I noticed that a few people were being seated and waited on. 

Now that's for me.

I walked over and talked to the young man...asked if that was an option....and it was.

We were seated immediately.  Another couple was seated at the same table with us.

Much better.

We were given pickles and menus.

I was happy.

A pastrami sandwich is $18.00 at Katz's.  

Both Emma and I thought half a sandwich and soup would be nice.

Emma got the Matzo ball soup and half a Ruben sandwich.

I had chicken noodle soup and half a pastrami.

Emma's soup was much better than mine,

My pastrami was LOTS better than her corn beef.  (We both thought her corn beef was tasteless.)

She had a better one in Chicago.  

Now that's not right ;o)

The couple next to us left quickly and didn't eat much.  I wanted Emma to take the man's pastrami...and I wanted to take the woman's matzo ball soup.  They had eaten very little.

But even tho they were nice folks....Emma wouldn't go for it.

I am drawing a blank on what we did next. 

I don't think we went back to the apartment.

Perhaps we just figured out how to get to the MOMA.

The subway logistics were not difficult just took time to figure out.

Were are we? Were do we want to go?  

Is the phone dead yet?

Friday night is free night at the MOMA.

And everyone in New York knows it.

Seeing Starry Night by Van Gogh was a big thrill...and surprise.

The hoards adored it.

Emma got a little teary.

We love seeing our favorites in person.

Another of Emma's favorites.  Picasso.

She had this painting as a backdrop on her phone.

Old friend.

Hello Andy Warhol Soup Cans.

Hello colorful lady.  

Not too surprising that I like a portrait best.

After a few hours at the MOMA we found La Bonne Soupe.

My notes said it was a hidden gem.

It was charming and French and quiet.

We would have liked to had a seat downstairs but we had to sit upstairs.

But honestly...we were happy to get in and sit down and drink lots of water by this point.

We had bread with nice salty butter.

Emma had a glass of wine and a crepe lasagna bolognese.

I had salad nicoise.  I wanted the French onion soup but the lady next to us sent hers back saying it was too salty...just before I ordered.  I do like salty...but thought it was not a good idea.

My salad was average....

But I didn't really care.  The atmosphere was very nice.

I ordered chocolate mousse and hoped it would be not too chocolatey.

I am not a dark chocolate person.

Well guess what?  The mousse was so delicious.  It was perfect.

The waitress said that the chef like to use milk chocolate in his mousse.

yay :o)

We headed back to the apartment and fell into bed.

bonne nuit les rêves doux 

Donna

p.s.  we would return to La Bonne Soupe, but we would not return to Katz's