For those of you who don't know, I just got back from New York last week. Some friends of mine (the regulars that I do everything with) and I went to New York City for 2 crazy days. We flew all night Wednesday night, and got to New York at 6:00 in the morning. We checked in at the Hotel, ate some breakfast and headed into the city. First we took a Ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Both places are so amazing. The Statue of Liberty really is awe-inspiring. Ellis Island really touched me too. I was amazed at what people went through in order to come to this country. It was humbling to realize that I have ancestors who walked those halls and waited in lines and prayed that they would be permitted passage to the shore which they could see, but was just beyond their reach. There is a sacred feeling on that island that one cannot deny.
After we got back to the main land we walked to Ground Zero. I was amazed at how many people were there to see the place where the World Trade Centers stood. I saw people weeping, and some openly sobbing at the sight. As I looked at the big hole in the ground and thought about that fateful day so many years ago, I was amazed at the miracle behind it. 9-11 was awful, but looking at the huge buildings that are right next to where the Trade Centers were, I am amazed that there wasn't more damage. There is a monument on the side of a building across the street from Ground Zero. It says, "May we never forget". I too pray that we might never forget the price for liberty and freedom, and always remember to honor the men and women who give their lives fighting for it every day.
From Ground Zero we travelled to the Empire State Building. We traveled up to the 86th floor where the observation deck is. I was amazed at how far the city really stretches. That night we ate at the Hard Rock Cafe in Time Square, and saw "The Little Mermaid" on Broadway. It was absolutely fabulous and amazing. It was totally worth the cost of the ticket.
The next day we got up early and did an endowment session in the Manhattan Temple. This was probably the neatest experience of the entire trip. We knew what subway "exit" we needed to take, but didn't really know where the temple was in relation to where we would come out. We were walking up the stairs, and literally the temple was all you could see. It took my breath away. There I was climbing out of the filth and darkness of the Subway, and the temple stood as a beacon to keep climbing up. The Temple was beautiful and so peaceful. New York streets are just like they are portrayed in the movies. Loud, people everywhere, the "yellow ones" really don't stop, but as soon as you entered the Lord's house, an immediate calm, quiet, peaceful feeling enveloped me. I knew that I was entering a holy, sacred, building that housed the spirit of the Lord. When it came time to leave the Temple, the World really slaps you in the face. It was hard not to just turn around and go back in.
After the temple, we traveled to Central Park. We walked around Central Park for awhile (it is HUGE!), and saw many sights from our favorite movies. We then found went to Rockefeller Center and from there walked down 5th Avenue, gazing into huge stores that held merchandise no one I know could afford. We saw Trump Tower, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and F.A.O Schwartz, this huge toy store where I finally bought my very own Harry Potter wand... it's pretty much awesome!We walked from there back to Time Square where we needed to eat, but didn't really have a lot of time, so we at the McDonald's at Time Square. It was a huge multi-story McDonald's with grossly enlarged prices. I paid $7.00 for 2 cheeseburgers, a medium fries, and a water. After McDonald's we went and saw "Mary Poppins" on Broadway. It was just as fabulous as "The Little Mermaid". The best was when Bert danced on the ceiling, and Mary Poppins flew with her umbrella out over the audience. It was spectacular.
From there we took the subway back to our hotel, got a few hours of sleep, and flew back to Utah the next morning. New York City is amazing, and I would love to go back and spend a lot more time, and see a lot more things, but I am happy with the highlights that I saw. Coming back to Utah, I appreciate the wide open spaces,or really just having to space to not be touching people as you walk by them!
