NEW YORK new york

We departed on Saturday the 5th of August, a week ago, so thankfully missed all the airline chaos in the UK. Zack slept for most of the flight to NY. Keith flew biz and they seated me in one of those mum & basinette seats, which was great. We had discussed swapping so that I could get some shut-eye but it all worked out fine - I'm finding that those little fabric eye-masks really do the trick and they weren't keen to have Zack in Business Class.


Rockafeller Centre is not too far from "home" in New York, and we loved the shade and the fountains.

Last week was spent walking around alot of the city. We tried to get into the Guggenheim Museum, but they don't allow strollers into the gallery, only the foyer. Sheesh, how annoying ! Well, the place is being renovated outside, so there wasn't too much to photograph. It meant we got to walk the 30 blocks back to the hotel, rather than go straight back on the bus. We had time after all. I started walking back along Madison as there is so much to see on the boutiques and specialist shop windows. It gets a bit boring though, so I walked another block down to Lexington and the rest of the way home. You pass through an area that's all exotic antiques, hair dressing salons and nail bars. More to see.

We've been pretty brave - took the pram down into the subway (not nearly as easy as London), took the NJ bus from the Port Authority on 42nd to Jersey Gardens outlet mall (excellent bargain shopping), took the bus up to the Guggenheim (had to fold the stroller, and have Zack on my lap surrounded by my belongings), and necessarily a cab or six (they are dirt cheap). We visited FAO Schwartz and bought a smashing gift for a mate. More about that in a future blog. Did all 8 floors of Bloomingdales. We also love Starbucks, so end up there at least once a day.


a police officer is happy to pose for a photo outside St Patrick's Cathedral.

Zack has charmed his way from SoHo to the East Village. Everyone comments on how big he is, what a cute smile he has, and his general demeanour. What a delight ! It certainly has made travelling easy - he disarms people with his smile. And it's free ! I catch him smiling at people before they've even made eye contact with him. It would be wonderful if he could stay so sweet. How do you protect your child - keep them innocent, contented, blissfully unaware of the nastiness in the world ? It can't be done. I suppose the next question is, how do you help them cope with it all, and retain their true character / nature, able to blossom despite it all ? 42.