NYC-2

Next from Times Square to 5th Ave - Rockefeller Center. I did not realize that this center consists of 19 commercial buildings from 48th to 51st streets and there is even an observation deck! I would like to do it next time instead of may be State Empire building! How could I not know??? 

Okay, those two pics are from the same place.. But.. from a different time frame. The first one is from this trip and the one below is from March 2004. I swear.. I did not gain 50lbs. as it appears here. About 5-7. This time it was super cold so I took a hat off before the shot and I have a long scarf that is bundled around my waist for warmth. Yes! 

                              

Not sure why I look grumpy here. 

 Almost next to the center there is Saint Patrick's Cathedral. I do not remember how it looked from outside and I could not see this time because of construction that seemed to occupy half of Cathedral's territory. It started to be built in 1858 (!) and now... if you go to their website you can take Google virtual tour inside of the Cathedral. How COOL is that???

Honestly, those two images were "borrowed" from Google. 

                                      

Lady Chapel area

This is my photo. I like it. 

As I kept walking along 5th ave, besides very expensive stores there were quite a few churches. What an interesting location for them. I am not sure why but some of them looked kind of intimidating to me. Like waaaay too official. (Saint Thomas Cathedral)

I really liked the decoration on Bulgari store. They say it is to attract customers this holiday season - it is a giant serpent wrapped around the store which looks like enormous piece of exquisite jewelery - it sparkles and glitters as if it really is made of precious stones. So cool!

That is the last picture before you go into Central park, looking back at the 5th ave.

I decided to go in Central Park rather than continue walking along 5th avenue. Obviously, it was not suitable weather nor I had time to walk through the Zoo, but I just walked along the paths. 

This is a dream house, it even has a Madonna bench in it :) From this view it looks like Japanese building hanging from the edge of the world. I like the angle I took the photo from.

I asked somebody to take a picture of me while I was throwing my 11 cents in Conservatory Water. Only later I realized I was more concentrated on throwing a coin at the right time rather than making a wish.

This picture was taken, again, in March 2004 at the same place - Conservatory Water. I am not sure if I threw any coins or made wishes at that time...

                             

Alice in Wonderland sculpture. I did take a picture of it this time but it looks empty (and still the same) without anybody on it. I wish I could climb on it this time as well :). March 2004

Just a pretty shot of the Conservatory Water. Imagine the view people who live in those apartment building have every day???

After that, the path took me to 81st st, where Metropolitan Museum of Art was. Outside it looked like one gigantic construction site. I just did not have time to go inside to see the collections but I did peek inside the main hall. What I really liked that they had recommended admission $25 but no set price - you pay what you can. It is amazing that non-profit organization in a city like NY does it.

Just like NY Public Library, this building dates back long time ago - 1866 and has numerous collections of sculptures, painting, drawings, photographs etc.  

 That is one exhibit I would LOVE to see.

I found this...Structure?? pretty interesting.. like a small house accidentally squeezed between two big buildings. I must be crazy - I researched this building, and I should say Google maps with street views rock! I thought it was Embassy of Ireland because of the flag but no.. It is just an apartment building which does not answer the question with why there is Irish flag on the building.. Hmmm!

Very interesting looking Solomon Guggenheim Museum. Relatively new - from about 1939 and has, as websites states, eccentric paintings. Right now, for example, there are exhibits by Kandinsky and Picasso.

Just 2.5 blocks away from Russian Embassy. I stopped to have lunch at this place called Heavenly Rest Stop which is next to a very nice looking church. They had such a big selection of items that it took me like 10 min just to decide what I am going to eat :) What I really like that I never tried was quiche - it was to die for. Pear bread. Yum!  My belly was full and I was ready for real business that brought me to NYC in the first place..