ONE SHORT DAY

...in New York City

This morning we we're up early-ish in an attempt to keep jet lag at bay and make the most of the sunshine (the sun is setting BEFORE 5pm, which is a massive shock seeing as we we're getting used to 8/9pm in Australia already!)

We set off walking west along 61st Street hoping to find the closest and best rated (by google, of course) coffee.

But before we'd even walked two blocks we found something even greater! I know its hard to believe much could be greater than coffee after travelling for over 24hrs and having less sleep than I'm prepared to think about...but we did. 

REAL LIFE CHRISTMAS TREES

We we're ecstatic much to the amusement to the owner of the corner store, for whom real christmas trees are an everyday essential? Needless to say, we're buying our own first thing tomorrow morning!

We didn't have to walk much further before we found Viand Coffee Shop. It was a super cute and very 'movie-like' American cafe which served great coffee and delicious pancakes! 

Feeling much more alive, I mean awake we wandered through Central Park and to our delight found plenty of squirrls...everywhere! So. Cute.

I had mentally planned to hire a boat and be really romantic rowing around on the lake (well actually in my plans Nathan was rowing) and taking in all the pretty sights of Central Park, but as we go closer we realised there no boats...or ducks...or ripples...the lake is already completely frozen! 

So naturally we attempted to stand on the lake, which was an great idea (only because our shoes we're waterproof and we kept one firmly planted on actual solid ground) and we managed to crack the ice creating a massive air bubble and a cool new trend for all the kids walking by. 

(sorry parents of New York, but I'm sure they would have done it anyway!)

Walking back to Times Square we stopped and shopped for foooood!

We entered the Wicked lottery tonight, and although we weren't quite lucky enough to see that show, we did get a show. 

For those who don't know what a 'lottery' is, 2 hours before some shows you have a chance to win $30ish tickets by putting your name in a barrel and praying they pull out the little green piece of paper that says BRITTANY (or Nathan!) HEDRICK, then all you need is I.D. and the money. 

One of the people drawn out didn't have adequate I.D. which resulted in a re-draw, followed by tears, begging, pleading, refusing to leave the box office and the biggest pout we have seen on someone over the age of 10. Seriously impressive. We didn't get her ticket :( but a little girl who probably was 10 did and she was absolutely thrilled...which made it ok. 

That and we got another coffee and set off for some more retail therapy.

Walking home we watched an amazing lights display projected onto the front of 'Saks on Fifth Avenue' which was so good...Nathan bought a pretzel and we waited to watch it again! Hopefully I can load a video up here sometime...or you'll just have to come and visit once we're home ;)

Goodnight/Morning 

(if you're tracking this in NY time...don't worry Nathan is already fast asleep)

Happy December!

B + N