Central Park

on Saturday morning we ate bagels for breakfast in Brooklyn then walked around. we had to transfer to a hotel in Queens because we accidentally booked one night short and we weren't able to add another night.

 then we took the subway to Central Park. 

 there was this lady underneath the bridge singing opera and she was incredible! that is one of the things I love about New York- all the musical talent displayed freely (well for tips) around the city. New Yorkers are so used to it that they don't appreciate it but there is something beautiful about the juxtaposition of music in the middle of the hectic, busy sounds of the city. we were serenaded many times on the subway or at the subway station and there is an amazing quality of hearing the music echo on the subway platform. this opera singer was by far the best we heard and it makes me wonder about her story and if she sings professionally or if not what happened that she isn't able to. 

 we went into the Natural History Museum to go to the bathroom and we found out it was free for the next hour til closing. we had been there on our honeymoon and loved it so we had fun quickly exploring. 
this origami Christmas tree was amazing! I would love to have one in my house for the holidays.

afterwards we went to Levain Bakery for some cookies. the line was way out the door which in New York is a sign that something is worth waiting for. it's funny the lady in front of us had to ask us what the line was for. she said she just saw the line and figured it must be something good- ha! we got a chocolate chip and dark chocolate cookie and they were delicious! they are thick, round cookies that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. I am craving one right now! 

we decided to walk to where we were eating dinner in Greenwich Village. it took us a couple hours but we saw so much more of the city rather than taking the subway. it was one of my favorite things we did actually! we walked past the LDS temple, Columbus Circle, Times Square, Madison Square Garden and lots more. the temple is the pic below.

there were a ton of people dressed up like Santa for Santacon which was funny seeing so many santas running around.

we ate dinner at Artichoke Basilles pizza in greenwich which was delicious! we ate a lot of pizza on that trip but that might have been my fav. NYC always seems so full of life but on Saturday night there is so much going on and a ton of energy. its so much fun to be around especially compared to the slow pace of where we live! 

we walked around Washington Square park again and then called it a night. the next day we met up with Jason's sister and husband who were visiting the city too. we didn't have much time so we went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and then we had to leave for the airport. it was an incredible trip and I was so sad to leave! NYC will always be one of my favorite places to travel.

 Til next time!!