Strolling in Chelsea and got dazzled

Although it was sad to wake up with an alarm clock while on holidays, it was with excitement that we started the day by grabbing breakfast by 10 at the nearby Costa (or was it something else?). A nice hot chocolate and muffin later, we started walking westbound to 6th avenue, by Madison Square garden, and then southbound, passing by the Fashion institute.

The wind was blowing a rather cold breeze but we marched on, towards Chelsea. It was my first foray in the 9th avenue and 10th avenue areas and I finally understood that village feel, attributed to the brownstone low buildings, leafy quiet streets, and colorful little shops. After much walking we finally found the high line entrance (10th ave., 17th st.) . I was glad I did some research for this trip and planned some new sight-seeings like this.  I loved the way they transformed this old railroad line into a beautiful garden, while preserving its natural side into the walkway's architecture.

 

The wind still battered on but it felt somehow warm to wander on the promenade while the high building around us  was reminding us we were in Manhattan. The garden was not entirely finished and a second part was not opened to public yet, but the yellow-clad gardeners were proudly watering the plants in this ominously rainy day.We did get some sun briefly and even wore sunglasses, but it soon started to drizzle again and we were forced to take shelter. 

We left the garden behind and continue south, from the meatpacking district to Soho, Greenwich and west village. I discovered that the area was full of brand name boutiques, and eventually we sat down for a late lunch a few blocks from ground zero. We had a delicious meal in an Italian restaurant: the warm lasagna or pizza was such comfort food in the dreary weather. It was almost 4pm when we exited the place and walked passed ground zero, ending up in Century 21 just by following the shopping bags.

We ended up shopping as well of course, turning and turning inside the department store till our heads suffered lack of oxygen, agoraphobia and just tiredness. We looked for shoes, then for dresses, then for sunglasses, then for cosmetics....I could not remember why we got i there in the first place, apart for showing the place around. We strolled by the City hall and ended up at Battery park, overlooking on the Statue of Liberty barely emerging from the fog.

I was glad we had a Mets game at 7pm that evening so that we could get away from the stores, drop our bags at the hotel, before heading to Queens with the 7 train. I enjoyed the overground train ride. And I was getting anxious the wagons were not filled with fans. Indeed, announcements blared in the Metro station, announcing the game was cancelled and postponed! It was 6:45 and all we could do was take photos and find a substitute thing to do for the evening.

 

 

It was decision time, and eventually we opted for a Broadway show, since we could still try to catch an 8pm show. Off we rushed back midtown, and I had to drag Mamelle away from the ads filled giant screens flickering their lights into mesmerized eyes of newcomers to the TKTS office to get tickets for any show that hadn't started yet. I managed to snatch 2 expensive tickets for Chicago and ran to the theatre, Mamelle in tow. We barely made it and we had separate seats, but we were on the first row of the balcony and had a great view of the stage.

 

 

I must say the actress mentionned above was not a match to the other actress's voice. It was even painful to listen to her sing. But I still like the other actors, and Mamelle liked the show. After that we could leisurely take photos on Times Square emptied by the rain before grabbing some americana food in TGIF.

 

 

ON our walk back to the hotel, we tried to see the the Empire State Building needle top, but all we could see was colorful clouds as the fog was still wrapping it up. And so with that vision, we lied in bed in the early morning of 1am.