December 6, 2007

We left home at about 6:30 to go to the airport. Checked in, through Customs etc and boarded the plane. The flight was quite uneventful and we arrived at JFK on time at 9:55. Our bags were just about the last off. We took a taxi to the Tudor hotel. It was quite cold, about 28F outside. We were unable to check in, so we dropped off our bags and went off to find a Lenscrafters. Marisa had her eyes looked at and discovered that her previous prescription had been too strong. Then we walked around to find a pizza for lunch, although the guy selling Philly cheese steaks on the street looked really good. (Not the guy, the steaks you must understand). After lunch we went to Macy's, who have a spectacular Christmas display and windows. It reminded me of the windows of Hamley's in London. We stopped at various other places on the way back to the hotel where we checked in. The room is cosy, but well appointed. Later we walked to 8th Ave to take our city lights tour. I was glad I brought extra clothes as the best views were from the top (open) deck of the bus. I managed to stay upstairs for the whole ride, but was frozen by the end. We saw the Christmas trees at Bloomberg, Rockerfeller Center and windows of Saks, Macys and others. We also witnessed a Menorah lighting and dance from the bus. Suffering a bit from the beginnings of hypothermia, we had dinner at the Olive Garden on Times Square and walked back to the hotel.