We heart New York

So this is the last day of our New York adventure, just time for a little shopping and last bit of sight-seeing before we catch our plane this evening.

Yesterday was another fabulous day in the Big Apple with glorious blue sky's and bracing arctic winds. We started the day with a trip on the Staten Island Ferry across the bay which provided us with superb views of the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline.

We then wandered through the central business district of New York, down Wall Street, past Tiffany's, Trump Tower and the New York Stock Exchange. A mixture of old colonial buildings and modern skyscrapers this area is tightly compact with dark narrow streets. This lead us on to the Brooklyn Bridge with more great views of Manhattan and that bracing wind again.

In the late afternoon we returned to the Hotel, with many students starting to pack and some dipping into the NY gift shops. In some ways we saved the best till last and took the tour of the iconic Empire State Building. From the 86th floor the views were truly breath-taking and everybody agreed that this was a spectacular end to our trip.

Monday 2nd March- Snow but not slow!

Woke up to 6 inches of snow, and along with the rest of New York didn't let it stop us!

Visited NBC Studios this morning, amazing to see how many TV programmes we all recognised across the generations. Got to see the Saturday Night Live Studio with its 400 lights and the working NBC news desk.

After this we admired Rockefeller plaza with its black marble flooring and ice rink complete with gold statue - bit too cold to go ice-skating!

We all went to Soho to see a different style of architecture and shops. We all enjoyed the chance to fit in some shopping and get out of the snow. Interesting to see that New York doesn't stop when it snows!

Spent the evening in TImes Square, going to AMC cinema where we all had a choice of films to keep everyone happy.

Good night.........until tomorrow.

Day2- Waiting for snow leopards, in snow in Central Park

What a great day!
We woke up (many of us way-too early) and had our breakfast at Naturally Tasty.
Everyone was excited at our first yellow-taxi-cab ride-
we split into a cultured group who went to the Guugenheim Art Museum- an amazing building. Some of the art was very arty- especially the blocks of ice surrounded by mics recording the sound of melting!

The frozen theme ran all day, with snowfall starting light, but blizzard-like by the time we got to Times Square late evening.
The second group took a less-sophisticated option and visited Central Park zoo- quite surreal and sad seeing a polar bear in New York. A sign said Snow Leopards are yet to arrive!

We all met in the epic Grand Central Station- location for Ridley Scott's Bladerunner and many other films. An iconic New York meeting place.
After lunch there we walked to a screening at the Museum of the Moving Image. It was an interesting insight into US news reporting through the years- and how reporters have filtered events to the public, and shaped them- from Vietnam to the moon landing.

We walked a lot today and it was a great way to take in the city and the stunning buildings that tower all-around.
Chevy's on 42nd St was surprised at a request to seat 34, but did a good job, though we realised that the menu prices jumped a lot once tax and service are added! More street stalls from now-on!

Times Square' neon overload was mesmerising- like Piccadily Circus on super-steroids.
Politically very interesting too- adverts for Budweiser mixing with News Corp adverts and Army recruitment.
New York wouldn't be the same without running into a superhero, and we weren't disappointed-

The snow added to the strange beauty of the streets and skyscapers- the Empire State's peak haloed by an aura of illuminated snow-fall.

Once again the students were a credit- positive and well-behaved.

Quotes of the day-
I can't believe there's pigeons in America!
Will there be a MacDonalds in New York?

COMING TO AMERICA! SAFE ARRIVAL

Hi everyone-

Got here fine yesterday- really smooth flight, and all the students behaving really maturely and coped very well with nearly 21 hours of traveling! Staff not bad either!

Great to see how excited they all were as we drove into Manhattan and saw the skyline lit up. Giddy as kippers!

We walked out onto 5th Ave for a quick meal in Suibway/McDonalds/Wendys and back for an early night.

Looking forward to the snow!

New York, and a new US president!

Shop-front Obama Campiagn images, New York Octber 2008, reading 'Hope'