Off to the Big Apple

Friday

Our original plans were to leave Saturday morning to drive to Bangor, but forecast not looking so good it was decided best to leave on Friday afternoon after work. Uneventful drive, easy border crossing after we were picked for an environmental check. Overnight at the Quality Inn which includes parking, and supper across the street at a Mexican restaurant.

Day 1 5,000 steps

Saturday

Breakfast included at hotel, then we had some time this morning to do a little shopping. Andre and I will not be going home by car so picked up a couple of things at Christmas Tree Shop and Burlington Coat factory which we left behind for Andre and Diane to bring home for us.

Woke up to snow in Bangor this morning

Easy 1.5 hour flight from Bangor to NYC La Guardia airport via Delta.  

First views of NYC from the air 

We took the bus and subway on to our apartment. Bought unlimited 7 day bus/subway passes for $33.00 each, so basically had a free ride from the airport to our apartment. Came out of the subway right at Times Square, what a first impression! 

First subway ride of the week, and our first subway "character" is right behind these 2!

Street view when we get out of the subway, wow right in Times Square 

Our apartment is about a 15 minute walk from Times Square. We managed to not get lost, found the apartment no problem and met with the owner. He was a really nice guy, said we could treat him like our concierge for the week. 

We had tickets to Billy Joel tonight so started walking towards Madison Square Garden hoping to stop at Empanada Momas for supper based on Juans recommendation, but that was full. Continued along and got into Uncle Mario's for pizza. Great pizza and a waitress that kept us entertained. She was the only waitress in the entire restaurant and kept everyone moving. 

Sangria, beer and pizza, yummy start!

Continued on to Madison Square Garden which was about a 30 minute walk from our apartment. 

Madison Square Garden

We needed to go up, up, up, and maybe one more up to our seats

View from our seats

An amazing concert that lasted over 2 hours with no breaks. There were 2 guests brought out during the show. Diane and Wendy were convinced Elton John was going to be there since he played at MSG the night before, but no luck. One of the guests was the lead guitarist from Aerosmith, the other person I did not know. We passed on the $15 beer, and the crazy priced merchandise, Billy Joel must make an absolute killing if he gets a cut on all of this. It was an amazing concert, the atmosphere really helped make it.

Another sold our concert for Billy Joel as MSG

Tribute to Veterans day, very moving 

Billy Joey playlist

Billy Joel Star at MSG.  He plays here approximately once per month, record for most sold out shows in an arena.  So many top hits, he had the audience choose between 2 of his hits a few times during the show.  

Outside MSG we had nice views of Empire State Building and Macys. We will need to venture back down to this part of the city again during the day to see it in the light.

Empire State Building 

We decided to venture back to Times Square again to see it at night.  It is so handy to our apartment that I am sure we will be here many more times during the week

Wonder if we will see Weed World Candy vans any time soon in NB?

Day 2 - 15,000 steps