Into the Madding Crowds!

[Lisbeth]

A free tour of New York city ...............for us

[Mel]

And how much were those bananas? I bought apples back in 2000 and they were like 40 Rand each

Been to that M&M shop too and thought that same thing as you! They're just plain crazy

Hats off to the Brat for being so interested in culture, i.e. arts!

[Richprins]

Interesting people, these Americans!

[Flutterby]

A free tour of New York city ...............for us

I'll be posting invoices at the end of the tour!

And how much were those bananas? I bought apples back in 2000 and they were like 40 Rand each

Been to that M&M shop too and thought that same thing as you! They're just plain crazy

Hats off to the Brat for being so interested in culture, i.e. arts!

I think he paid $2 for the bananas! The Brat loves art and music, but he's not interested in sport which SO is not too happy about!

Interesting people, these Americans!

Yes, they are...and they come in all shapes, sizes and nationalities!

[Flutterby]

We left SoHo and headed downtown to Little Italy for dinner. It used to have a large population of Italians but due to the spread of Chinatown, Little Italy has now been reduced to one street - Mulberry Street - with a few Italian stores and restaurants. However, it was very lively and vibrant, and the only place where all the restaurants have their tables and chairs on the sidewalks and someone outside every restaurant trying to get you to patronise their establishment instead of the one next door.



Ristorante Taormina, where mob boss John Gotti used to eat every Wednesday night. We did see a few Mafia-like characters in long fur coats but didn't stare too long!



We ate at Caffe Napoli and although the food still wasn't fantastic it was the the best meal of the trip! There was a bunch of old Italian ladies drinking lots of red wine sitting next to us, singing Italian songs, and our waiter was very friendly, stopping for a long chat. I had no wine on this trip, as in most restaurants, the cheapest plonk was about $7 a glass, rather more if you wanted something decent!



Mulberry Street with the Empire State Building in the background.





Supposedly the oldest cheese store in America.



SO liked this sign!



NY's solution to parking...not sure how they work, but I presume if your car is at the top all the cars below have to be moved before you can get yours.

[steamtrainfan]

Only managed to catch up now.

You sure went to some amazing places.

I found your pics and write ups of Grand Central and the bridges very interesting.

Just love the parking set up.

[nan]

you can sleep in tha car
little Italy... only for Sicilians

[Lisbeth]

NY's solution to parking...not sure how they work, but I presume if your car is at the top all the cars below have to be moved before you can get yours.

They have one of those in Como (100 km from Milan) and they work.............sometimes It is just a question of moving the right car in from of a lift, move it ahead and the lift will take it up stairs

[Richprins]

There was a bunch of old Italian ladies drinking lots of red wine sitting next to us, singing Italian songs...

See you in twenty years' time, Flutts!


Surely they must have the best Italian food?

Love the mafia stuff, well done!

But don't Yanks eat out all the time, so not so expensive for them, as they earn dollars?

This is great, and appreciated!

[Pumbaa]

Love your Brooklyn sequence, Flutterby,

I guess I would love that place - SoHo Looks also nice although this Christmas decoration over the whole year would not be my favourite