Austins in the Big Apple5/10- It's Complete!!
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Jennifer2003 · 05-09-2005, 09:29 AM

Great update! The tour must have been awesome!!!

Can't wait to see Angie!!!

Jennifer

**DopeyGirl** · 05-09-2005, 10:00 AM

:::GASP::: The license plate?!?!?!

FUNNY!!!

Sounds like the tour was a lot of fun and something I will have to put on the list if we ever get back up to NYC!!!

debsta922 · 05-09-2005, 11:57 AM

Great update Maureen. It's given me ideas for our next trip!

LisaJ · 05-09-2005, 04:03 PM

I remember the license plate well. In fact, when my husband had his Viper, he was able to get the license plate, ASP MAN. Anybody who watched Seinfeld, got the joke! It was a riot (even though the plate was not "exactly" like the original, everyone knew that it was a play on words from the Seinfeld episode and the "snake" Viper car!!! Too funny!!

BabieeMelly · 05-09-2005, 04:30 PM

Great update, Maureen! The 9/11 site really is something to see. Everytime we go into the city we take the West Side Highway and pass by. You never really get the idea of how big that area was until you see it in person. When the World Trade Center was there the base-area didn't even seem that big due to the two buildings being right there, but it really is a huge space. I'll never forget that day - I was in school and everyone was just freaking out. No one really knew what was going on but we all left school early and the sky was just full of smoke and my neighborhood was sooo quiet. A few hours later debris and papers from the Twin Towers came flying over to my neighborhood, all the way in Brooklyn. It really made us realize what impact and force the collapse of the towers had. I still have those papers. My friends and I were all hanging out outside talking about it when my friend's Diana and Mike's mom called them in and they found out their Uncle had died - he was a cop and was helping out on the scene when someone jumped out of the building and landed on him. It was HORRIBLE, and even watching the scene on TV can't describe what it was like to be there on that day.

On a lighter note, the Seinfeld tour sounds like it was so much fun

The theater that houses Forbidden Broadway is right next door, and we saw several concerts there, so we're in the area a lot. Did you stop in the big McDonald's that is two stories and has computers?? I'm pretty sure it's right across the street. I can't wait to hear more!

GoofyMom · 05-09-2005, 05:09 PM

I'm just getting caught up Maureen! Wow! What a day! We visited the International Peace Gardens on the border of Manitoba and N.Dakota, where there is a small memorial to 9/11. Some of the girders from the WTC Towers were brought there. I can't describe the feeling I got just looking at those girders -- I cannot imagine the feeling of actually standing and looking at the actual site.

I'm looking forward to reading more!

MAria R · 05-09-2005, 08:47 PM

Another great update!!

statelady01 · 05-09-2005, 08:59 PM

Within minutes of being back in the room, Kevan and I both realized we were absolutely spent and the idea of trekking across Midtown to get to Tribeca Grill was really more than we could bear so I decided to give Angie a call and get her thoughts.

She was just about to leave her house for the city and when I explained how exhausted we were, she couldn’t have been nicer. Seemed like there were several restaurants to choose from in the Hyatt, so we thought about dinner there- and then after perhaps go explore Grand Central. She was so kind and understanding- in the end we knew the place didn’t really matter – just as long as we got to visit!

Angie estimated arriving at about 5:30- so that left us some time to shower and get ready. About 5:30- my cell phone rang and Angie was in the lobby! She told us she needed to drop off some stuff in our room- so I gave her our room number. I decided to meet her at the elevator- and when she stepped off, there was no mistaking Passporter's own little red headed girl!!

Big hugs and we started talking like we had known each other for years! We got to the room and I introduced her to Kevan. Being the doll she is, she brought us loads of cheesecake from Junior’s- as well as a few gifts- including a commemorative pin from the WOD opening as well as a charm for my bracelet! I was so bowled over by all of this! Thank you so much buddy!

After we talked for a few minutes, we decided to head on down for dinner to the Commodore Grill. Before we did though, we got a few first photos in the lobby:

In the lobby of the Grand Hyatt

We were seated right away and the atmosphere in the restaurant was really quite cozy and intimate- and a nautical theme- perfect for a long dinner with friends. Angie and I immediately decided on a glass of wine while we looked over the menu. After a bit, I went with the filet, Angie went with a crab cake salad and Kevan had a panini.

The three of us had a great time- we chatted the whole time- a lot about our May trip of course!! Angie and I hit it off immediately from the get go and as the time passed I became more and more convinced we were destined to meet!!

Our dinner was fairly good and we all passed on dessert. A walk to burn it all off was in order so we decided on a trip over to Grand Central Station to get some photos I had been wanting for awhile!

We had been here for three days and it was Angie who showed us the doorway entrance from the Hyatt to GCS- we had been going out on to the street and around to the main GC entrance! Oh well, at least we got to use it!

We had great fun taking in this magnificent piece of NY history as you can see!!

Here are some photos of Grand Central Station:

After our tour, we headed back up to room and hung out for some time, again just talking, laughing – like we had been friends for years!

Finally, about 11:00 we decided to call it a night and wished Angie a farewell- it was a wonderful evening and I am SO looking forward to spending more time with such a great person at the happiest place on earth!!

After Angie left, we got a bit hungry for dessert and decided on sampling the slices she had brought- there is no such thing as NY Cheesecake- unless it’s Juniors- its in a class by itself and that’s all I have to say bout that.

Kevan began to get us packed up as we wanted to sleep as late as possible in the morning. Hard to believe our adventure in NYC was almost over and we would be heading home. Within minutes of turning in- we were zonked!!

Coming Up: Breakfast in Queens

lauren-roxy · 05-09-2005, 09:18 PM

Angie seems like a really terrific person Maureen, and how nice to bring you such great gifts!! I am so sad that your trip is almost over, I am really enjoying reading all about your trip. I would love a piece of cheescake from Junior's right now!!!!!!!

**DrDolphin** · 05-09-2005, 09:24 PM

Wow!! Great photos -- I can't wait to meet our red headed girl in 2 days!!!

loobyoxlip · 05-09-2005, 09:26 PM

How nice. Sounds like a great dinner!

Jennifer2003 · 05-09-2005, 10:36 PM

Great update!

Hi Angie!

Jennifer

**chezp** · 05-10-2005, 01:50 AM

It sounds like you had a great meal with Angie - I can't wait to meet her at MouseFest!

I loved the photos of Grand Central, they bought back some great memories of my first two trips to New York, when I took the train both times. On neither occasion did I get any photos of the station, so it was lovely to be reminded of it.